London Fashion Week September 2012

As per every second week in February/September, the London streets are abuzz with the excitement of Fashion Week. What will we be wearing next spring (or for the die-hard followers of fashion, in January)? Which designers will have the stand out collections? And who are the new names to watch over the next few seasons.

Melissa herself has lots going on - with a few top-secret (and very exciting projects) taking off at the moment, and her own 2012 collection recently launched, however she did make it down to Portland Road to watch good friend & recent collaborator Julian Macdonald's RTW show where she was sat next to none other than GMTV's own lovely Lorraine Kelly (who has become something of a front row regular!), Mark Hayes and the gorgeous Eliza Doolittle (see pictures). Julian's collection was a huge success - with him making the front page of The Independent on Sunday - but saw him taking a slightly different direction than usual, with deconstructed tailoring, futuristic knits in plastic yarns & super-fierce models treading the catwalk. He then ended with some amazingly intricate beaded evening gowns that he does SO well...definitely on the wishlist, and as Melissa said, should be in a museum the beading was so incredible! Following the show, Melissa headed backstage to congratulate Julian, where the champagne was flowing and everyone from Hollywood actress Rosario Dawson to celebrity stylist and good friend Grace Woodward were there to do the same. She also had a chance to catch up with Bianca Jagger, whose style she loves, it being that she wears beautiful kaftans day and night. Rounding off with an interview for Fashion TV, she then headed off to something a  little quieter in the form of brunch with her family.

Saturday night saw the opening night of the new Roberto Cavalli store on Sloane Street, hosted by Roberto and wife Eva, who were very excited to say the least. Another who's who evening, Eva Herzigova, Holly Valance & Rosario Dawson were all there, as were girl-group The Saturdays, and everyone was, of course, decked out in Cavalli pieces...although Melissa went against the grain and wore a fabulous dress from her own collection! the party then moved on to Battersea Power station where none other than the amazing Kelis took to the stage and Melissa partied with Mr. Hudson & Charlie Speed, while The Box provided the entertainment in the form of Cirque du Soleil style acrobatics by immacualtely turned out performers.

Sunday was the event most people in the fashion industry have pencilled into their diary - The Harpers Bazaar Party, at The Saville Row Club. Henry Holland took to the decks and again, Melissa wore one of her own pieces, which got lots of compliments (keep an eye out for her next RTW collection, you will not be disappointed!) throughout the evening, although like Cinderella, she had to be home before heading off to a Paris trade show on Monday morning at a ridiculous hour (although she did manage to squeeze in a bit of Downton Abbey before bed!).

Sneak Peek at 2012.

We here at Melissa Odabash feel it is high time you all got to have a sneaky peek at some of the amazing new pieces from the Odabash 2012 collection. The new range boasts many gorgeous new prints, from 'Lotus' to 'Africa', bold new colourways and some new textures too - including THE softest terry towelling jumpsuits, perfect for snuggling up in after a dip in the ocean.

Of course, Melissa is best known for her luxurious animal prints and this year is no different, with the introduction of a new take on her iconic cheetah print, as well as a muted crocodile print and bold snakeskin (very on trend!). All will be available online at http://www.melissaodabash.com/ or in our boutiques, located in Notting Hill & Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Melissa has been hard at work putting the final touches to her collection with Julian Macdonald, researching some top-secret upcoming projects (keep your eyes peeled!) and taking a well earned rest in Italy.

Odabash Macdonald Collaboration takes Miami by storm

When the designer of 'the Ferrari of the swimwear world' and London's resident King of Bling collaborate on a collection, you KNOW it is going to be something that will set the fashion world alight - so when Melissa Odabash and Julien Macdonald confirmed they would once again be teaming up for an exclusive cruise line, breath was baited in anticipation - and the collection did not disappoint!

Making its debut at the prestigious Miami Fashion Week this weekend, the collection was the perfect balance between Melissa's glamorous chic, expert cuts and luxurious fabrics & Julien's high octane glitz in the shape of intricate beading, embellishment and of course, his famous knits. The setting for the incredible runway show was W Miami, with the catwalk itself set on the top of the pool, and also gave Melissa a chance to show off a few never-seen-before pieces from her upcoming 2012 collection.

Take a little look at these exclusive shots of some of the collection...

Jessica Lowndes talks snogging in London wearing Odabash!

After celebrating her place as 79th sexiest woman, Jessica Lowndes takes a break from her party filled London social scene to shoot for FHM and be interviewed by Stuart Hood. Jess was looking radiant in the classic 2 piece St Barts snake print bikini from Melissa Odabash's high summer collection, exclusively available at net-a-porter.com
Jess had a lot to say about being single in London and being bombarded with chat up lines, but after this photo-shoot is released it would be hard to believe the numbers won’t multiply!

No Carbs Before Marbs!

Well well well, someone has clearly been taking style notes from our previous blog posts, as here is none other than The Only Way Is Essex's resident style icon Lydia Bright wearing none other than a Melissa Odabash bandeau - Ecuador in a muchos-tan enhancing shade of jade green.

The lovely Essex girl popped into our showroom earlier this week to pick out some last minute pieces before jetting off to Marbella (where everyone who is anyone appears to be at the moment, Melissa herself and her army of models, assistants, photographers and make up artists are currently out there shooting our 2012 lookbook too, keep any eye out for the new collection dropping soon - it is incredible!) to film a summer special of the hit (understatement!) iTV2 show. Clearly the 'No Carbs before Marbs' mantra the TOWIE gang were living by has paid off too - Lydia looked amazing while taking a dip in the sea to cool off.

Also on the trip was Lola member and recent Odabash devotee Jessica Wright, who hasn't been snapped wearing our pieces just yet, but will be any minute now.

You can get all the behind the scenes news as it happens out in Marbella by following Melissa on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/#!/melissaodabash

It has been a busy few weeks here at Odabash - with Melissa and the design team hard at work putting the final touches onto the 2012 collection before our glamorous look book shoot, the PR team casting model after gorgeous model for the shoot and generally just lots going on a Odabash HQ - it is going to be a busy summer!

Aside from this, Melissa managed to find a few minutes to allow Hello! Magazine into her home to photograph and interview her on the events of the last few months - and talks about everything from her day to day life, to her BBC3 TV show, to her stint as Royal correspondent throughout the Royal Wedding! If you haven't rushed out and bought yourself a copy yet, what are you waiting for?

The Bandeau is Back!

Alexandra Burke is doing it...

Kelly Bensimon is doing it....

Even Denise van Outen is doing it!

The bandeau bikini is well and truly having a moment and here at Melissa Odabash, we've one to suit any figure and style.

Whether you love Denise's cute 'Martinique' style in a skin flattering coral with bohemian paisley print (which comes, like many of our bikini's, with a set of straps to give support to girls with bigger busts and protect your modesty when going for a dip!) or like Alex you want a sleeker, more graphic style (seen wearing 'Luxor) to exude chic beach cool.

Finally make like Kelly Bensimon in our 'Janeiro' - the perfect piece (those all important straps again!) for a spot of volleyball on the beach - that is if you can tear yourself away from the sunlounger.

Log on to http://www.odabash.com/ for all of the above and many more styles!