The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Top of the shops
Take a look back at the big hitters of fashion week and what these collections tell us about what to expect in the shops next spring...
London Fashion Week seems to get bigger every year with more models to keep track of on the catwalks.
But the same stalwart designers have remained the most influential for the last decade, so it’s to them we look to find out what’s in store for next spring.
If September’s shows are anything to go by, the 90s will remain very much in vogue, stripes will get a squiggly makeover, and the Queen is going to be your number one style icon. Here’s what happened at the “big five” shows.
Burberry
Drawing heavily on the house’s archive, the sheepskin jackets, tartan coats and oversized knits were this time imbued with a new streetwear feel.
Chief Christopher Bailey even went as far as resurrecting the beige Nova Check print the brand was forced to virtually abandon 10 years ago after it became the calling card of D-list celebrities and football fans. It was a risky move, but one we can see the fans lapping up.
Topshop
Creative director Kate Phelan’s last collection was a jubilant send-off, a riot of party girls in 90s Soho-inspired bodycon frocks, strappy dresses, metallic skirts and big fluffy coats.
There was some gorgeous daywear too – particularly the cable knit jumpers and extra-long, straight-leg suit trousers.
Christopher Kane
As usual, a seemingly disparate bunch of references – ruffles, handkerchief hems, chintzy prints and sugary pastels – all came from a single source, which this season Kane said was the idea of the domestic goddess.
But this homemaker is hiding something, which is why her fluffy cocktail dress is worn with black latex gloves and her shoes come with kitchen mop fringing. The master of stylish subversion triumphed again.
Erdem
Imagining a 30-something Queen transported to a New York jazz club (inspired by time spent in the royal archives), Moralioglu sent out a slew of stunningly opulent satin gowns and frock coats.
A 50s silhouette ruled throughout – on full skirts or pencil skirts – and there was lots of sequin and crystal embellishment alongside the designer’s trademark florals.
House of Holland
In a word, stripes. Well, waves, really. These psychedelic squiggles, Holland’s ode to surf culture, emblazoned everything from slip dresses to midi skirts to sweatshirts.
The tinsel pool slides and pirate hats that accompanied almost every look may not be to everyone’s taste, but the undulating stripes were a real winner.