This year’s London Fashion Week was a sartorial celebration of power women and inventive dressmaking. Just like the NYFW, several references were made to the ongoing #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, proving that fashion stretches beyond tailored stitchings and textile draping. Fashion reflects and adjusts to the times we live in.
The catwalks were loaded with sparkly sequins, polka-dotted veils and dangling fringes. And not to forget, Queen Elizabeth II graced us with a surprise appearance. This and much more went down at London FW 2018!
Roksanda Ilincic’s ready-to-wear FW18 collection boasted an array of unexpected colour schemes and designs. Her models came out looking warm and cosy, clutching plaid blankets around their shoulders. The show proceeded with camel suits, jumpsuits in ice-blue silk, pleated skirts, scarves tightly tied around the neck and fringe-adorned purses.
Michael Halpern aimed at creating a collection that would put the wearer in a safe haven far removed from all the negativity in the world today. Call it escapism if you wish, but these models dressed in zebra-striped prints and colourful sequins from top to toe is guaranteed to put you in a good mood. This is Halpern’s third collection since graduating from Central Saint Martins and let’s just say it doesn’t fall under the definition of minimal.
Mulberry’s first see-now-buy-now fashion show was hosted at Princess Diana’s family’s ancestral London home. The collection was an ode to British culture, in the theme of a garden party. Alison Goldfrapp, from the electronic music duo known as Goldfrapp, performed among ruffled skirts, shoes inspired by porcelain cups, flared trousers and wonderfully large hats.
The hot topic of this year’s fashion week was the Queen’s first-row presence next to Anna Wintour at the Richard Quinn show. After the show, Quinn accepted the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design by none other than the Queen herself. Having graduated from Central Saint Martins just two years ago, this award gets Quinn off to quite the start. The collection pulled inspiration from old-school couture, with models looking like faceless mannequins in sheer chiffon wrapped around their heads. Large motorcycle helmets were paired with edgy biker jackets and thigh-high polka-dotted boots. Pieces layered with silk-satin in abstracted floral prints made the runway an eclectic spectacle.
Erdem’s models whirled their way through the isles of the National Portrait Gallery in London this fashion week wearing clothes inspired by the Victorian era. The catwalk was filled with floor- sweeping, sultry gowns and sheer polka-dotted veils covering the models’ faces. The oversized tweed coats and thick leather belts were complemented by elegant, long gloves and ruffled silver dresses.
by Michelle H.
Pictures via Vogue Runways
