MARY KATRANTZOU AW14 COLLECTION
She may have been dubbed the digital print queen by way of her hypnotising design USP of seasons past, but Mary Katrantzou took a refreshing detour this season. Dizzying print work was replaced by symbols that held a deeper meaning; school badges, medals, clock faces, a coat of arms all made an appearance, intricately embroidered onto fuzzy sweatshirts, patchworked onto maxi skirts and running down pleated gowns to resemble a holy vestment.
Suits cut in jacquard are set to become the fashion set’s new favourites, and one in particular – a bird-print skirt suit with pleated gym-skirt – demanded attention. Delicate slips dresses with hook straps featured a metal mesh adorned with gold-tone hearts, squares and pearls, tricking onlookers into believing they were admiring an art installation. Well, we were certainly in awe.
TEMPERLEY LONDON AW14 COLLECTION
Temperley London may hail from the leafy enclaves of Somerset, but, designer Alice Temperley didn’t stick to the quiet side for autumn/winter ’14. Bringing her signature decorative style to the table, Byzantine architecture-inspired prints were splashed across unbuttoned coats, tightly belted at the waist. Pretty skirt suits were updated with a boxier silhouette, while stained glass-imitating laser prints prettily played out across red carpet worthy dresses.
New for this season, however, was the concept of layering luxe evening looks: an oversize fur stole in a fluffy peach hue was breathtaking over a shawl and barely there gown; while neck scarves, outerwear and shawls daubed in striking floral prints were the accessory du jour to seek protection from the winter chill. Just perfect.
RICHARD NICOLL AW14 COLLECTION
As blue emerges to be the hue of the hour for next season, Richard Nicoll didn’t hold back in feeding our appetite for the coldest shade-gone-hot. School girl attire-gone-haute was the message here, as sensible knits were paired with round-hem skirts and mink-lined parka in striking cobalt blue.
Masculine tailoring took centre stage, too, with easy suits that barely brushed the waist, and more fitted versions with ultra-feminine ruffle blouses peeking from below. Holographic loafers the models wore throughout seemed to resemble a sportier shoe, but paired with drop waist dresses, wide-leg trousers and brought all the luxe from this London favourite.
Nestled front row between fashion’s newest darling, Kendall Jenner, and Topshop boss, Phillip Green, sat the inimitable Anna Wintour, as the Topshop Unique show began at the Tate Modern. Every fashion appreciating woman’s go-to for high-end looks on high street means; the autumn/winter 2014 collection didn’t disappoint on the want-it-all-now front. An oversize puffer jacket in soft grey wool sat atop a swishy midi skirt, while the caramel (faux?) fur vest, belted at the waist, layered over thigh-high boots made for an appealing look.
Socks in mules carried over the winter-proof sandal look from NYFW; and tonal looks in a rich ochre and caramel shades featured fuzzy jackets worn under belted camel coats and barely there slip dresses. The patchwork fur coat slipping off the shoulder to resemble anti-winter dressing, may have been the winning piece.
It wasn’t just the star-studded front row at Matthew Williamson – Olivia Palermo, Poppy Delevingne and Coco Rocha were all in attendance – but the star-splashed clothes that had us obsessed. Signing off day three of London Fashion Week were Williamson’s red carpet perfect designs – but with a little outré appeal, of course. A striking starburst print was intricately sprayed across dresses, ladylike coats and leather pencil skits, as punchy shades of red, yellow and shimmering metallics made us yearn for winter soirees.
Fur – another key component of the autumn/winter ’14 collections – did well to entice Williamson’s star-studded audience, as did the sequin embellished minis and floor-sweeping starburst-print gowns. Embellished socks worn in lace-up booties are set to become a welcome addition to the wardrobes of the freezing, fashionabe elite come winter party season.
[Images: Style.com]
