Fashion's 'homework'

When will I learn? Every season it's the same. I tell myself I don't need an entire new wardrobe for London Fashion Week. Remind myself that I have a fully stocked cupboard heaving with lovely clothes most of which I never wear. But then, with alarming regularity, the pre-FW fear hits five days before. First the frantic scramble to book with your hairdresser, then the obligatory pedi (for you will wear open toe shoes even if it is freezing outside) and finally a bulimia-style trawl through the shops buying up anything that 'could work' even when knowing fully well it'll go straight back unworn next week. It's not done to show panic to your peer group. When asked if they're going shopping the weekend before fashion week, the answer's usually a nonchalant, 'Oh, I might pick up a few vintage bits from Portabello.' But come that first - no second, when it all gets serious - day it's always clear that's fashion's famous fakery because no one can look that good on three hours sleep, stiletto burn and a champagne hangover without careful pre-wardrobe planning. And Bobbi Brown's under-eye illuminator. So here I am trying to do my best preparation. A shoulder-pad dress from Zara, a few cheap jewellery steals from the fashion cupboard, some vintage jackets stolen from my mum's still pristine 1970's closet, sister's borrowed Gucci sunglasses, a new Smythson notebook - and my Wang of course. I'm ready. Well at least I look the part. Inside, I still feel a bit like the girl who stayed up until 2am the night before a new year at school to get her summer homework done in time....