No the title isn't a reference to the award-winning Fuller beer but actually is a slightly unfortunate thought that plagues my mind of the eve of London Fashion Week S/S 09.  After a rather insightful chat with the owner of bStore, the thoughts plagued further as he felt that London was going backwards, that a year ago, London had a momentum going with their fashion week, that we had something to be really proud of and celebrate, going against this country's trait to be overly modest/polite about everything, and now something is missing and that the British Fashion Council hasn't taken advantage of that exciting wave and capitalise on that.  I've expressed similar thoughts in the past, that rather than concentrating on playing up London's strengths which is producing and exposing new design talent what with the number of stellar schools here, instead, BFC tries to chase the so-called big names, to pack out the schedule with returning Brits.  Emphasis on the 'returning'.  The Brits have a knack for leaving for greener pastures in New York/Paris; Jonathan Saunders and Preen to New York and now Gareth Pugh to Paris for this season and no doubt others will follow.  Even my beloved Jean Pierre Braganza is off to Milan to show at the White Show.

Now as opposed to patriotism, I've always had a terrible case of of cityism...a shameful sense of pride in London.  I'll admit it, I don't care if I come off as being smug about living here as I do love it full and through with big glassy rose-tinted goggles.  Yet the niggles are there and despite being a staunch supporter for all things LFW, the worry does exist that the fashion scene has somewhat turned 'backwards' and isn't making the strides it deserves.  Effects of globalisation and the catch-up process does mean that cities like Vienna, Amsterdam, Berlin and cities further affield are coming up with fresh ideas and taking concepts further because they have a lack of restraint and experimentation can be afforded...be it in retail, fashion design or other creative fields.   The upside is that it gives me impetus and motivation to travel more.  The downside is that in a climate where people are holding back and feeling unsure, perhaps fashion will suffer, not the luxury labels as I always insisted that the recession would never affect the rich because the rich would keep on spending, but the creative talent feeling like they're lacking in support...

Disingenuous charity giving has always irked me but I do so solemnly swear if I stumbled upon oodles of cash, I'd throw it all at this fashion scene I so lovingly support.  Guess the pride hasn't diminished that much.