There is always a buzz in London during fashion week as fashionistas from across the globe descend on the capital to see the latest fashions by designers showing their collections at the various venues mainly the BFC (British Fashion Council) space and Fashion Scout at the Freemasons hall.
As fashion weeks go, London fashion week is where one comes to see the latest and future trends both on and off the catwalk. I say this because there is nowhere in the world that offers the most creative street style like London during fashion week. Dressed in my best outfits that included an amazing biker jacket from Raddar7 with the softest leather known to man, I attended London fashion week as one of the lucky few people to have been invited to the various catwalk shows and presentations.
Although one would presume that it is easy to predict the trends for the next season, it is not always the case when it comes to London fashion as each designer pushes the boundaries as far as they possibly can showcasing their creativity, craftsmanship and putting their mark on the industry. I will however on this occasion be bold enough to say that for AW17 one should expect to see many floor length colourful quilted jackets alongside PVC and leather dresses on the shop floor. Having viewed the many collections by various designers, I have chosen the collections that stood out for me to share here with you.
Taking inspiration from the Dada movement and Nomadic, global travellers, Roksanda played with new shapes and silhouettes with oversized tailoring in laminated wool Melton and matt coated quilting from the finest Pleated Lame as well as Silk, Laminated Wool Melton, Matt Coated Quilting in Wool and Silk, Liquid Viscose, Bamboo Textured Silk Satin, Bonded Crepe, Brushed Mohair, Distorted Organza. Malan Breton’s collection was by far the most androgynously chic collection of the season with models strutting down the catwalk in amazing tuxedos and stunningly beautiful leather dresses. The Erdem AW17 collection was beautifully breathtaking with exotic patchwork and prints that bore a clear sign of the designer’s British and Turkish heritage.
Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite designer Emilia Wickstead‘s ‘Girl’ AW17 collection was a feminine triumph that included 130,000 Swarovski pearls making each pieces stand out on its own without being vulgar or over the top…. very fitting for Her Royal Highness. Hallie Sara presented a luxurious and wearable collection hand crafted from the finest materials and made by skilled artisans upholding couture traditions in a range of beautiful bold earth and jewel tones melding together into an interchangeable wardrobe. Antonio Berardi gave us the modern take on the pant suit. Talk about power dressing! Antonio is taking the ladies straight to the top with his AW17 collection. Whereas I loved the pantsuits, one cannot fail to notice the frilly girly voluminous skirts and full-length gowns as well as the chunky woolen jumpers and quilted jackets.
After taking time away from the fashion scene, Mark Fast is back with a very strong collection that is true to his love for creating pieces that empower women inspired by cinema, art and sculpture this collection consists of colourful dresses and gowns for the discerning fashionista that does not follow trends but sets the pace. Dans La Vie designer Rira Sugawara has consistently used prints in her collections as she wants to push the boundaries of what is considered beauty. Redefining the norm she has created a collection made of adventurous combinations of animal prints and discording florals.
Markus Lupfer AW17 collection is a celebration of individualism consisting of fluid feminine blouses and pleated dresses with menswear inspired tailoring. Polar bear motifs and Artic florals are spotted on the silken bomber jackets and party skirts whereas the beaded jacket collars and space age leggings make this collection all too exotic and fashion forward not to love. Pam Hogg was her usual glamorous rebel self with her ‘Army of Lovers’ collection sending models down the runway in beautifully constructed statement PVC and latex creations in bold red, silver and black.
The designer to watch out for this season is Fashion Scout Merit award winner Katie Ann McGuigan . . . Thank me later!
