At the end of last week I know I was bidding a sad farewell to New York Fashion Week until 2012, but as it were, I now have London Fashion Week to focus my attention on. The best part about Fashion Weeks abroad is that you get to witness and experience the aesthetic of a country or culture different from your own. It’s always fun to find out just what inspired them and how it fits into what they call “fashion.” So, just a hop, skip, and jump over the vast “pond” to see the best that London has to offer…and believe me there are some fabulous offerings.
Burberry is one of my favorite British brands and this year they moved up on my list when they decided to give their fans a gift in the form of live tweets, which showed each look right before the model stepped on to the catwalk… I’m sure Anna was a tad bit jealous that she had to wait 30 more seconds than the rest of us.
The London powerhouse managed to mix darker tones usually reserved for fall like deep purple and indigo with spring colors of yellow and green perfectly—there are no complaints here. Though the signature plaid and the trench coat did make their appearance this collection was all about the tribal print, geometric adornments, and shimmering raffia weaving. The collection makes me want to take a spring break somewhere like Aspen or …well London instead of Cabo.
An entirely different kind of spring collection was seen at Christopher Kane whose models worked the runway in sport-sandals (yes like the ones basketball players and football players wear on their days off) –perhaps an extremely literal ode to sportswear. Thankfully the shoes were a mere afterthought in comparison with the pretty floral shift dresses in bright blue and jeweled pastel green, and brocadesque chocolate brown floral jackets.
Mulberry, a brand that has become particularly popular in the U.S. especially with their fairly recent Target collection, treated their guests to ice cream, balloon animals, and pink lemonade. The festive atmosphere was highly appropriate for the buttery yellows, crayon green, and cotton candy pink that made up this fun collection. Ready-to-wear found its true meaning with striped maxi dresses, drawstring shorts and skirts, leggings and cropped leather jackets—you could easily pick any of the pieces and wear them right off the runway. Of course all of this was just one big accessory to the newest handbags which includes a lemon drop colored patent leather hobo and the new Travel collection.
By Kristianne Young
Photos: Style.com
