Faye-Isabella: FW15

Every 1st of January, we all aspire to carry out a New Year's Resolution. Some are much more unrealistic to be than others; I'm pretty sure everyone makes the statement: 'I'm going on a diet' after all of the wonderful food they have consumed over Christmas. To be fair, many people probably succeeded in that diet, so congrats are in order to them! But as for realistic resolutions, I think most people would agree that the desire to have a literal 'happy new year' is at the top of their list. I know that this time last year, I was set on having a memorable year, though my main goal was to work hard and secure my place at University. Now that the year is almost over, I can say that my resolution to have a happy year was certainly fulfilled. I wanted to share my top ten highlights of 2015 before the final page of its book closed, and so here they are:

10) Following new fashion

Fashion month seems to come around so quickly each year, and this year I was yet again astounded by so many collections. Those which stood out in particular were Raf Simons's Dior RTW SS16 show in September (which afterwards became emotional due to Raf's departure from the house) and Prada's blend of the 70s and the future in its RTW AW15 show in February.

Prada RTW AW15

Dior RTW SS16

9) Celebrities

This year I had the luck of meeting many celebrities who I look up to, most notably Alexa Chung. I've admired her for years for her chic style, bubbly character and positive influence on the fashion industry. I'm so happy I got to meet her, what a memory!!

8) Fashion exhibitions

2015 gave me the opportunity to visit three contrasting fashion exhibitions based on three massively influential designers: Alexander McQueen (Savage Beauty), Louis Vuitton (Series 3) and Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel (Mademoiselle Privé). Each of these exhibitions perfectly placed visitors into the character of the designer, and were all extremely interesting and informative for me as a keen follower of fashion.

Savage Beauty

Series 3

Mademoiselle Privé

7) Musical achievements

This year was a huge success for me in relation to my piano playing, as I passed my Grade 8 examination which has been an aim of mine since I first began playing seven years ago. I'm so happy to now be qualified at this level, therefore making it a massive highlight of my year!

6) Travelling

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel this year, visiting incredible cities with both family and friends. I look forward to travelling even more in 2016!

Paris (Feb)

Sorrento, Pompeii, Amalfi, Ravello, Capri (June)

Barcelona (July)

London (July)

5) Having fun

A few photos which speak for themselves!!

4) Meeting new people

I love meeting new people, and have had so many opportunities to this year! This is a highlight which I hope will form part of my 2016 too!

3) Finishing school

Finishing school was a big event this year, and honestly didn't feel real. After being in education for so long, saying goodbye to a daily routine was hard to accept, yet at the same time, I was ready to leave school and move onto University. (I am in this photo, it just may be awhile before you find me!!)

2) Hard work paying off in A Levels and as a result, being accepted into the University of my choice

I was thrilled with my A Level results as they allowed me to be accepted into my chosen University: King's College London, to study English.

1) Moving to London

Moving to London has by far been the highlight of my year. It's been a dream of mine for so long now, and now that I'm here, I'm so happy. Now that I'm settled into the wonderful capital, I can only look forward to what 2016 brings for me whilst here.

Situated on the Strand in central London, the Louis Vuitton Series 3 exhibition showcased Nicolas Ghesquire's FW15 ready-to-wear womenswear collection for the elite French house. Following the Series 1 & 2 exhibitions in Toyko and Los Angeles, Series 3 was depicted in a way which left all of its visitors astounded due to its mesmerisation.

What I loved about this exhibition was the true insight it illustrated into the creational process of high fashion collections. For so many people, fashion is perceived only as the final product: from a beautiful piece of clothing, to a sparkling piece of jewellery, to a statement accessory. But fashion is so much more than the final product, and this was illustrated perfectly in Series 3. Its title: Past, Present & Future is emphatic of the exhibition; visitors were able to see the past in how the products of this collection were made - a room titled a tale of craftsmanship focused solely on the LV artisans yielding classic couture bags from scratch. The present aspects of the exhibition were apparent in the Wardrobe Sensation room: garments, shoes and accessories from the FW15 collection hanging in flawless glass boxes, adding a dream-like, angelic tone to the wardrobe. As for the future, well, visitors were simply left wanting more, and craving to see not only Ghesquire's SS16 collection, but any future creation under his direction for Louis Vuitton.

The success in this exhibition lay in its narrative; each new room I entered was a juxtaposition to the previous room I had visited. In particular, the Infinite Show room was encircled with mirrors and tall, holographic digital presentations of each look from the show at Paris Fashion Week. This was then followed by The Science of Savoir-Faire which showcased the laser creativity of the house through a pitch black room, lit only by a bright green laser precisely tracing individual pieces to create the brands shoes and accessories. For me, the Accessories Gallery was a favourite in the exhibition, as the brightness and simplicity of the room filled with plain model statues literally highlighted the featured accessories on display, whilst also drawing on the traditional luggage aspects of the brand.

Louis Vuitton Series 3 was an iconic experience for me, as I was able to gain a true sense of Nicholas Ghesquire's inspirations for just one of his many collections, and a great understanding of a house which has so much influence in carrying the continual evolution of fashion in society.

Faye .x