My Top Three from London Fashion Week

Dear Readers,

Remember how I started my post on the best three collections from NYFW? I said that I found it hard to decide which three designers to choose, because everyone was so incredibly fantastic. Well, when I came to do the same thing for the collections showcased at LFW, I didn't find it that hard. Actually it was a pretty straight-forward choice, to be quite frank. I felt that this year's LFW has been quite disappointing, it was like switching on your TV and expecting to watch a new movie, only to realise that there's 'Home Alone' again, for the 100th time this year. That is exactly how I felt. Nevertheless, even though I didn't like most of the collections on show, they were a couple of them that I liked immensely. So, I'm here to share them with you readers to see whether you liked them as well.

The Avian Trend as explored by designer Giles

But before doing so, I want to give you the 411 on the trends which emerged from LFW, simply because I felt they were quite different from the ones so predominant at NYFW. Whilst we would normally expect pastels to dominate Spring and Summer collections, I noticed that metallics took centre stage during LFW. Now that was a complete surprise, to me at least, and quite frankly, I welcomed this suprise with open arms. I also noticed that many designers experimented with the ‘avian’ trend. This particular trend can take many different shapes and forms. A designer can choose to incorporate bird patterns on a shirt, for example. Another designer might opt to include one single printed bird instead. Last but not least, feathers are a subtler way of working the ‘avian’ trend too! Designers like Mary Katranzou, Giles, and Matthew Williamson amongst others, have all played with avian elements in their LFW collections. A final dominant trend that I can’t omit from mentioning is definitely the ‘midi-skirt’ trend, which is slowly taking over Fashion World as colour blocking did last year. Speaking of colour-blocking, there was hardly any of it at all! Ironically enough, I think people are only making themselves comfortable with colour-blocking now that the trend is packing its bags and departing.

The Metallic Trend as explored by Christopher Kane

Topshop Unique was definitely one of my favourite collections this year. Inspired by the mysterious lands of Ancient Egypt, Topshop Unique presented a lovely variety of hieroglyphic prints, bandage dresses and pyramid shaped accessories, including bags! Topshop Unique also played with the metallic trend by incorporating several gold accents that fit in well with the Egyptian theme. My absolute favourite piece has to be the top with Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cleopatra' on it. It's both a great way to pay tribute to this beloved actress as well as reminding us that this collection is probably what a 21st century Cleopatra would wear!

Topshop Unique

Topshop Unique

Topshop Unique

Topshop Unique

Topshop Unique

House of Holland also had a very enticing collection, largely based on pastel colours, python prints and acid-wash jeans. As you might have assumed already, the choice of python print did influence my opinion on this particular collection, but there was yet another aspect that made me choose House of Holland as one the best at LFW. It was precisely the way they paired pastels with acid-wash jeans! All my life, I regarded acid-wash jeans as a relatively grungy piece that was meant to be kept away from softer, 'prettier' pieces. Yet, in pairing these jeans with pastel pieces, House of Holland has changed my mind! Oh, and House of Holland did some colour-blocking as well, but they did it differently. The original notion of colour-blocking involved the mixing of two blocks of bright colours, not pastel shades. House of Holland, as you can see from the pictures below, restricted their colour blocking to pastel hues only.

House of Holland

House of Holland

House of Holland

House of Holland

House of Holland

This brings me to my favourite collection, hands down! I'm referring to Mulberry's incredible S/S collection! I fell in love immediately, like as soon I saw it! Fashion Gone Rogue has said that this collection is like a vintage ‘ice-cream van’, which is something I’m in complete agreement with! If you have ever spent some time staring at the ice-cream display on a traditional ice-cream van – the ones with the little song and all – with their yummy pastel coloured ice-creams, then you will agree with that comment as well! This collection, very retro in its influences, presented bold, bright pieces which remind us of the sixties and seventies and the British seaside. Apart from the gorgeous variety of pastel shades, I also appreciated the socks and heels pairings as well as the sheer dress and leather jacket combination! The latter was pure genius!

Mulberry

Mulberry

Mulberry

Mulberry

Mulberry

I really wanted to praise LFW and sound all cheesy and lovey-dovey, but alas, I can't! Here's hoping next year's edition will make up for this one!

-B