Monday 19 September 2011

London Fashion Week: a few of my favorite themes

We're halfway through London Fashion Week and though I am not ready to commit myself to a favorite collection (though Basso & Brooke is close) there are a few common themes running through all of shows that I enjoyed:

Black & White Architecture
While the Anne Sofie Back Ateljie was heavily structured black & white, some of it felt a bit like old Calvin. The sheer black shoes and menswear themes were right on trend though. At the Jean Pierre Braganza show, this drop-waisted number recalled 1920s Chrysler Building glamor with its graphic skirt.

Nude Jumpsuits
Designers have declared that jumpsuits will still be around (and we will still be trying to figure out how to pee in a public toilet while wearing one) next summer. Nude, sleeveless, trousered numbers were featured both on the Julien Macdonald and Vivienne Westwood runways.

Photographic Prints
The photographic print was featured heavily on the New York catwalks and continued to pop up along London ones this week. My favorite use of this trend for Spring was definitely by Basso & Brooke who integrated loud, fun color into the print for some exciting, fresh fun.

Soft Creamy Pastels
The ice cream man has arrived, quite literally at the Mulberry show, and brought the smooth creamy colors from his ice cream stand to LFW. Jonathan Saunders had the most delicious color story, while Julien Macdonald needs to win the Most Red-Carpet-Worthy award for his pale green gown. I would head-to-toe wear the 60s cream look from Mulberry's collection straight off the runway.

Retro Palettes
The yellow ocre and indigo blue palettes from Jaeger and Peter Jenson rocked my world. I want to paint a masterpiece with the colors used at those shows.

Vivienne Westwood Styling
I know it is supposed to be about the clothes, but the Vivienne Westwood show was most certainly about the hair and makeup for me. The lash to brow neon eyeshadow and unnaturally rosy cheeks were fun without being too garish. The hair was a work of art recalling elaborate Marie Antoinette do's, but adding modern scarves, braiding and dip dyeing with a sense of fun that only seems appropriate in a Westwood collection.

Though I left out the ubiquitous sheer trend, these are my takes for top trends so far. 
What have been our favorite trends at London Fashion Week?

*images from style.com, edited and put together by me.

2 comments:

  1. Wow! Those are some awesome choices. I'm laughing at your jumpsuit/bathroom comment Danielle. HaHaHa You are too funny! I love black & white combinations and the soft creamy pastels. :) They're always great looks! Thanks for posting! :)

    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/
    SassyUptownChic xoxo Kim

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  2. Thanks! Just had a jumpsuit in a bathroom scenario this Tuesday- they are cute but TERRIBLE!

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