by Yuan-Yuan Watkis
De Fichier has done it again. The London Fashion Week runway was set ablaze as models strutted down the catwalk in the latest collection, Episode 02. Inspired by the painterly world of Edward Hopper, this collection embodies a duality of feeling - one that encompasses both loneliness and belonging. The collection boasts a clever collusion of silhouettes, reminding us of the beauty that can be found in disharmony.
From the moment the first model made her entrance, it was clear that De Fichier was upping the ante. The show opened with a stunning oversized coat, one that was sure to make a statement on any street corner. The coat was paired with a simple black dress with such great movement, giving the ensemble a sense of effortless sophistication. This look set the tone for the show - one that was at once bold and refined.
As the show progressed, it became evident that De Fichier was playing with the flow of the garments - playing with the tension between the hard and the soft. This could be seen in the mix of textures and materials. The collection featured everything from structure blazers to leather jacket-styled dresses. It was the suit, however, that stole the show. The models strutted down the runway in an array of suit, each one more stunning than the last. The collection also featured shearling dresses and skirts, proving that this winter staple could be elevated to something truly special.
De Fichier also played with shapes and proportions. The collection featured oversized coats, wide-legged trousers, and voluminous dresses. The designer's use of gathers added an extra layer of texture to the pieces. The beauty of this collection was in the way that it played with scale - it was all about the bigger picture.
It wasn't just the outerwear that was making a statement. De Fichier also introduced a range of stunning dresses that were sure to turn heads. The dresses were at once delicate and strong, with delicate sheer skirts with a strong blazer like top half of the dress. There was a playfulness to the collection that made the dresses seem fun and effortless.
The collection's color palette was subdued, with shades of black, navy, and cream dominating the runway. Top for the runway used a very dark room and very harsh bright light which allowed the textures and silhouettes to shine, showing that De Fichier is a designer who is not afraid to let the clothing speak for itself. The beauty of this collection was in the details - the pleats, the gathers, the shearling collars. It was the little things that made this collection so special.
The final pieces of the show were the real showstoppers. De Fichier's use of sheer materials, particularly in the trousers and tops, added an extra layer of dimension to the collection. The use of sheer materials gave the pieces an ethereal quality, as if the models were floating down the runway. As the model walked down the runway the dress almost danced around her body similar to that of a jellyfish. The finale piece was an intricate ruffle layered dress with more structured detached sleeves.
Overall, De Fichier's Episode 02 collection was a stunning display of the designer's vision. The collection's use of contrasts, textures, and shapes was nothing short of masterful. The collection captured the duality of feeling - one that embodied both loneliness and belonging. The beauty of this collection was in the way that it played with scale, with the bigger picture. This was a collection that was sure to make an impact, not just on the runway, but in the world of fashion as a whole.