Next in my fashion week favourites is London’s offerings. Fashion week hit the capital with a hordes of crowds huddling against the typically British weather to see the eclectic mix of S/S collections, here’s my top five…
Markus Lapfer | I’d never heard of Markus Lapfer before LFW, but wow this was all kinds of awesome. Aside from the fact that his lookbook on Style.com included cats (so freaking adorable!), the I love the 90s vibe of this collection. It feels like something that would look completely at home on the ‘Fresh Prince of Bell Air’ or ‘Clarissa Explains It All’ with the oversized sweaters and graphic prints. There’s also a childish quality to the embellishment, not to mention the tweenage rebel logos that spell things like ‘lame’ and ‘loser’. Also cats. Cat prints all over!
Who should be wearing this collection? Alexa Chung, Edie Campbell, Dakota Fanning, Victoria Justice
Preen | Clean lines, asymmetry and bold geometry was the story at Preen this season. Set against colour blocked tones of candy pinks, fresh bright blues and monochrome, the shapes really make this whole collection pop. Despite the bold and brash colour scheme the pieces themselves are quite ladylike, with the shapes and print work adding personality to the whole look.
Who should be wearing this collection? Kerry Washington, Emma Stone, Michelle Obama, Leighton Meester.
House of Holland | Whilst the media’s eyes were on the FROW of Holland’s show this year, mine were firmly on the collection presented on the runway. Henry Holland penned this an ode to Baz Lurhman’s Romeo and Juliet and the aesthetic is certainly there with the almost gaudy colour scheme, religious images and 90s inspired cuts. It’s typical OTT House of Holland but despite this some of the pieces comes off surprisingly demure with the ladylike belted tea dresses becoming fast favourites for me.
Who should be wearing this collection? Pixie Geldolf, Solange Knowles, Rita Ora, Eliza Doolittle
Vivienne Westwood Red Label | Westwood’s collection is always a personal highlight for me any fashion week and this season was no exception. The colour palette was almost Autumnal but the clothes themselves give off a functional Summer in the UK feel, not quite sandals and flip flops but Sunday in the park attire. In fact it’s like Westwood took the stereotypical Sloane Ranger and made her take a tumble through the park bushes. As always the pieces are executed beautifully and in typical Vivienne Westwood fashion, personal favourite include the many printed floral pieces like the draped dress above and floral blouse/bright red skirt combo. Of course we can’t ignore the beauty choices, which only adds to the undone Sloane effect and overall drama of Westwood’s collection.
Who should be wearing this collection? Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Palermo, Paloma Faith
Maria Grachvogel | Another fairly new designer to me, much like Westwood pieces this was all about draping and flow. The colours again are muted but are much more water stained which fits well with the inkblot prints and silk/sheer fabrics used throughout. It’s not quite minimalist, but there’s a quiet simplicity about the undone blouses, draping gowns and oversized trousers. Even the more structured pieces accentuate the body’s natural movement.
Who should be wearing this collection? Nicole Richie, Vanessa Hudgens, Blake Lively, Heidi Klum
Let me know what your favourites were this year and keep an eye out for my Milan and Paris favourites in the next few days!