5 The ‘sexy’ debate

“I have never shied away from sex,” Christopher Kane confessed in his show notes. Normally, that would hardly be a revolutionary statement for a fashion designer – but things have changed in the wake of #Metoo. Kane’s message was one of sensualism and power; lace dresses and elevated pencil skirts and pieces printed with delicate, intimate sketches. Anyone feeling that prim and proper is the way to channel current sentiments will appreciate Emilia Wickstead’s bashfully demure wimple collared and high-necked dresses, with oh-so-sweet heart embroidery while Christopher Bailey used his swansong collection to celebrate LGBTQ+ with Pride colours, long, loose dresses and baggy knits; it defied all conventions about what sexy looks like, but perhaps that’s what the future calls for. BH Christopher Kane, right, and Emilia Wickstead, below