In the flurry of January/February (and this year March!) awards season wrap up, the fashion pack have been jetting off to the big four fashion capitals, London, New York, Paris and Milan. And as great as it is to see some great international designers debut and (in the case of Marc Jacobs) make fantastic comebacks sometimes the Brits really just do it better. The quality of British fashion talent has always been up in the stratosphere during fashion week season but I thought I’d highlight just some of my favourites from the A/W 2014 collections.
Burberry Prorsum
Washed out florals, silky, belted silhouettes, blanket sized-scarves and not a single signature print in sight. Fall 2014, was Christopher Bailey’s first foray out into the fashion world as both the Creative Director AND CEO of the brand, and for me it’s the most refreshing collection I’ve seen from Burberry in years.
Less of a ‘stiff upper lip’ tribute to the preppier looks of years gone, this collection was dripping in the fancy free bohemian spirit – rather appropriate considering the most famous names walking the runway were Cara Delevigne and Suki Waterhouse. Floral prints seemed like they were splashed like watercolours on canvas and the pieces draped sensually over models shoulders. If this is a taste of what’s to come from Bailey’s takeover at the top, I’m definitely on board!
Mary Katrantzou
Militaristic precision ruled this next collection. This may come as a surprise considering the collection in question was Mary Katrantzou’s. Known for her bold graphic prints, she pulled a 180 for Fall 2014 with a dark and moody offering dripping in hard metal-wear embellishment inspired by military and uniformed paraphernalia. Instead of the 2D digital prints of seasons gone by, Katrantzou’s graduated into the 3D, with metal wear, lace and broaches adorning almost every piece.
House of Holland
Henry Holland’s party girl has grown up – well, at least a little bit. Yes, this collection is just as loud and proud as his previous works but this time there pointed workwear collars, midi skirts and trouser suits. Don’t let this more ‘demure’ description of the collection bore you though. As always Holland’s colours are garish, his print work big and clashing and there’s an abundance of fur. If Westwood lead the previous punk generation into liberation, it’ll be Holland who’ll lead the new rebelling tribes of London this time.
Victoria Beckham
Remember the time when former Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, announced she’d be launching a fashion line? There’s was certainly plenty of mockery and judgement from the higher ups of the fashion world. Almost six years later look who’s having the last laugh now! There’s visible evolution season after season with Beckham’s collections, from the bodycon workwear inspired ranges of the past comes this.
Once again the focus is on minimalism, but there’s a nice flow to many of the pieces and it’s great to see her experiment with unusual shapes and prints again!
What did you think about these collections? Who are your favourite British designers?
R.xoxo