London Fashion Week was a mix of fabulous, flirty fun as femininity reclaimed its place back into the heart of the fashion capital.
Topping the list of best shows came from fashion favourites Burberry. They transformed the traditional trench coat into a thigh skimming mini in pale pink satin while silk chiffon and gauze featured heavily which was not only easy on the eye, but completely wearable unlike some of the tacky pieces which graced the catwalk this season.
Burberry was by far the biggest draw of London Fashion Week and the British power house said it was thrilled to be back in the capital for the 25th anniversary of the event. Anna Wintour graced the front row of a starry climax to the event. Along with style icons Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and emerging fashionista Emma Watson.
Rose feathered leather coats came with ruched, skintight leggings and silk trousers, rolled up to show pastel socks with strappy cone-heeled platform sandals and high-heeled ‘combat’ boots were at the forfront of their inspiring show.
Luella Bartley unveiled a collection of sweet, girly prints and a cheerful pallete of sugar pinks that are set to replace black as the new ‘in’ colour.
“I get a bit sick of this skinny black uniform,” Bartley said from backstage at the Luella show, referring to the de facto dress code of the fashion pack.
The prom skirts, giant polka dots and candy colours on her catwalk might be just the thing to replace fashion’s passion for black with a more uplifting aesthetic come spring/summer 2010.
If it was a bit of celeb eye-candy you were after than the Topshop Unique show was literally jam packed with celebrities. The front row read like a who’s who from the style pack, with Kate Moss and Alexa Chung.
The collection was unveiled to the beats of 90s grunge and definitely had a vibe from the same era. Shapes were casual and slouchy with hawaiian prints and bright neon colours. The funky sportswear, big sunglasses and rucksacks are reminiscent of cheesy early 90s American sitcoms. So cheesy that they are actually very good.
It was more like the Bride of Frankestein as Henry Holland’s bridal theme screamed tacky and try-to-hard. His brides were draped in puncy magenta, big knickers, and bright orange lips that would surely scare most grooms away.
Some of the models wore T-shirts with ‘Old’, ‘New’ and ‘Borrowed’ plastered across the front, and closing model Dree Hemmingway walked down in a sheer lilac risqué wedding dress complete with veil and bouquet!
This time last year Eun Jeong was crowned the winner of Fashion Fringe 2008 as she fought of stiff competition left, right and center. Her ‘White Reverse’ show proved she was indeed a worthy winner as her collection of entirely white, cream and sliver using soft, delicate fabrics like lace and silk was dreamy and inspiring. Jeong would do well to consider a slight branching-out in her fashion career – and launch a new bridal range. Her dresses and micro-minis, lavished with crystals and lace embroidery are the perfect option for the stylish bride.
Her models walked down the catwalk showing off the soft folds and pleats of Jeong’s designs often complete with trailing drapes. Overall, a delightfully feminine line that certainly exceeded my expectations. Not to mention the amazing locks of big, dishellved curls. Is this the end of the dreaded straightening irons?
Vivienne Westwood played her part for British patriotism with a show that was awash with red, white and blue eccentric outfits that fitted perfectly with her signature, wacky style.
Highlights included highwaisted harlequin trousers and OTT accessories. Not too sure about the use of Lisa from the trashy reality show Big Brother. But Westwood had never been one to give a toss about stereotypical beauty and neither should we. All hail the dame of fashion.
Christopher Kane’s hip style oozed some serious sex appeal and refined charm to the approval of a heavy-hitting front row which included super sophisticated fashion expert Anna Wintour, king of style Sir Philip Green, uber-cool designer Donatella Versace and the gorgeous supermodel Natalia Vodianova.
The monochrome theme and patent stack-heel boots that were echoed throughout the Jaegar collection are clearly not for the faint-hearted or the shrinking violet.
In what as been a provocative London Fashion Week in which one stylist alledgedly walked out over the use of plus size models. Keep in mind the average UK woman is a size 14. Designer Mark Fast, known for his sleek knitted dresses,used both slender and curvier women for his show in an apparently non-political or publicity motivated stunt. We’ll let you be the judge of that.
British fashion was at the top of its game with cutting edge designs and risks that seem to have paid off for most designers. With a healthy mix of sexy femininity and summer sensuality that is sure to have you looking forward to next summer already!
