NEW YORK FASHION WEEK PAVES THE WAY FOR LONDON FASHION WEEK
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanOn the heels of New York Fashion Week came London Fashion Week, taking place from September 14, 2012 through September 18, 2012. Featured were 110 designers including 30 new designers and all showcased their Spring/Summer 2013 Collections for industry professionals, media, models and many more to view and critique. Both emerging and well-known designers were put right into the spotlight. Some of the most impressive collections came from Antoni and Alison, Holly Fulton, Rag & Bone, Mulberry, Sophia Webster, Paul Smith, Antonio Berardi which is just the beginning.
As is customary, no fashion week would be complete without its share of celebrities. The Mulberry Show brought out the stylish likes of Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Lana Del Ray, Olivia Palermo and Elizabeth McGovern.
The setting for the show was an English garden paradise right in the heart of the Claridge Hotel. The outfits kept right with that theme as soft pastels and a sea of florals seemed to create a very feminine flavor. Jackets, capelets and suits had an androgynous feel to them but overall the collection was breathtaking and signifies London at its best.
Some of the other top-rated collections came from Roksanda Illincic and Meadham Kirchhoff.
Roksanda Illincic Spring/Summer 2013 experimented in color blocking and used a mixed palette of bright hues. High-waisted pants were paired with collared blouses and the beret became the swashbuckling accessory of the hour. The cut-out jersey dress and shiny patent dresses were quite interesting diversions.
Meadham Kirchhoff labeled their show “A Cautionary Tale’ and it seemed that the inspiration behind their latest collection was Marie Antoinette and rag dolls transformed by fancy petticoats, sequined skirts, adorable bows and ruffles. Apparently caution was thrown to the wind as the outfits were unveiled but we loved the unique theatrical presentation. Lacy knee-highs paraded down the catwalk in a wild and whimsical way. The looks jumped right out of a storybook of fairytales.
A couple of the much awaited shows were Moschino Cheap & Chic and Vivienne Westwood Red Label. Although the brand is labeled Cheap & Chic, on the contrary, this collection was full of elegance and energy. Rossella Jardini, the designer behind the label, has a way with patterns, color mixtures and designs. Looks that would be hard to imagine as being put together somehow carried it off in a majestic way. With the shine and pizazz it imparts, the targeted customer is most likely the younger set between 18 and 30 years old who love self-expression through fashion.
The Vivienne Westwood Red Label Spring/Summer 2013 Collection was full of wearable pieces such as the pleated skirt, the tight-fitting mini, wide-legged trousers and stunning pantsuits. There were a couple of flamboyant outfits but it was a memorable collection that is so characteristic of the talented and highly respected Vivienne Westwood. Taking her bow, she appeared in a sparkle helmet veil putting a twist on the finale.
This season also marked the addition of a new jewelry exhibit. This scintillating exhibit was called the Rock Vault Dozen. Twelve young jewelry designers in association with the International Palladium Board designed a creation of their own rendition of a ring using an ounce of palladium. This type of metal was easy to work with and allowed for resplendent creations from each of them.
As far as beauty trends that were seen at London Fashion Week, the most prominent was graphic, exaggerated eyeliner placed under the eye.
The talk of the fashion world these days, Lady Gaga, opened the Philip Treacy show wearing a sheer pink cape. She had a multitude of changes throughout the evening, all drawing attention, of course, especially the black platform boots and giant Mickey Mouse-style ears.
The sponsors that made it all possible were Vodafone, American Express, Mercedes-Benz, Canon, MAC, ebay Fashion, International Palladium Board, Lavazza Coffee, London Evening Standard, Mayor of London, Samsung, The May Fair Hotel, Toni&Guy, TopShop and UK Trade & Investment.
Thanks also go out to the British Fashion Council for making it a fabulous five days of fashion once again!
PHOTO CREDITS: London Fashion Week Website, The Cut, the daily@dailyfrontrow.com
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