So began my temporary position as guest buyer for Brittique [1] last week with an appointment at Camilla Staerk [2].  The good thing about buying for Brittique is that it so happens that each label I hold dearly to my heart.  Camilla Staerk was responsible for my first office skirt that I actually love to wear with its heavy jersey fluid tulip shape that I wear to death.  Therefore, as opposed to treating appointments like a job, it’s a joy to sneak a peek at the AW08-9 collection, touching everything and looking at things up close. Camilla Staerk herself may have gone onto pastures new by concentrating on her own Staerk [3] line which was shown at New York Fashion Week [4] but Roger Craig Searle [5] who has been designing the Camilla Staerk line for the past few years is coming up with the goods and staying true to what Staerk put in place. 

The appointment was in the spacey/warped Sanderson Hotel where too much light was flooding in to reveal a blotchy faced, green looking me.  Nice.  So I buried my head in the clothes instead, taking pictures of everything and going ‘Oooh’ and ‘Ahhh’ at practically everything.  The collection as a whole really got back to those familiar aspects of Camilla Staerk that first drew me in.  The luxurious feeling of black that wants to envelope you for the winter, the heaviness lightened by the choice of silky fabrics and addition of light grey/mauve, the unique cutting in some of the pieces and the day-to-day pieces that always seem that bit more special.  Even difficult items like 'fringe' or 'jumpsuits' that would have some eyebrows furrowed seem so easy to wear.  All in all, there is something for everyone which somewhat made me think that everything would work for Brittique. 

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The perfect throw it on over anything coat.... contrasted with the most workable fringe item I've seen.... these boots where the fringe attachment is removable. 

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The jumpsuits that aren't troublesome... 

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These shoes floored me and if I do take them for Brittique, I may have to ask for a cheeky discount. 

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The lookbook images style up the pieces substantially, in a way that changed my perception of the pieces from when I saw them at the appointment. Obviously for me though, overstyling is a good thing as it plays up the versatility of the collection. The heaps of grey that lighten the collection...

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The edgier pieces and in particular, the yellow shouldered dress is fantastic in person.

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The return to signature Camilla Staerk...

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...and the separates like the perfectly shaped skirts that no doubt, I will be buying...

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