london’s looking ruffled
Conventional wisdom tells us hemlines rise in uncertain economic times, but designers appear to be paying no heed
HOT PINK, skirts slashed at the thigh and plenty of lace and ruffles.
That is what designers at London Fashion Week unveiled in their spring/ summer 2019 collections which will start hitting UK shops just before Britain leaves the EU next year, a divorce many in the industry opposed in the 2016 referendum.
Hot pink appeared at the Richard Malone, Gareth Pugh and Pam Hogg shows with the former also using bright blues and greens.
Hogg, known for her fantastical creations, presented revealing bodysuits and frocks decorated with masses of tulle as well as jumpsuits and dresses in a carnival-like print. Models wore huge headpieces and towering platforms.
“I’m not politically outspoken but it’s in my work,” Hogg said. “Life is for living and there’s too many people holding people down… I just want to bring some joy back into life.”
Soft romantic looks of ruffles, floral prints and lace dominated at Bora Aksu, Preen and Roland Mouret. There was also a voluminous shoulders trend – puffed up at Preen or pointy at Julien Macdonald, who dressed models in sparkling dresses slashed all over.
Asked if his bright line was a response to Brexit, Malone said: “It is, constantly… That’s what we are doing by creating, you are kind of defying a system that doesn’t want you to create.”
Fashion theory might suggest hemlines drop in tough times but amid warnings the economy will shrink without a Brexit deal, designers appear to be paying no heed.
“In challenging time, we see the outpouring of creativity,” Rush said.