by Emily Duff
Unfortunately for some, a well-deserved break for most - Fashion Week Season is officially over!
There were many iconic moments as always but it can be hard to keep track of what you need to know and what it all means. Here are my key takeaways from Fashion Week Season:
1. Going back to your roots is a must.
Burberry is blatantly British again, LITKOVSKA and other UA brands celebrated their Ukrainian influence, Bottega Veneta had a (mostly) leather collection which harked back to their roots of being a simple leather goods company from the ‘60s, notable designer Osman Yousefzada hosted me at The Arts Club to discuss his latest book that dives into his diverse heritage, and the list could go on…
2. Comfort is key
Trainers paired with dresses is more than okay- and thank God because I’ve been doing this for years! Also, don’t underestimate the power of a funky-coloured coat or scarf. There’s no need to be cold to be fashionable.
3. Unusual materials are here to stay.
Experimentation is always prevalent, but I’m currently noticing materials being played with in subtle yet still timeless ways - think glass rings and handbags. Hopefully, this links to our move towards sustainability as the lifespan of glass is vastly better than plastic or whatever an Oh Polly dress is made of.
Buerlangma even made the best of a bad situation by playing with what they had. After a selection of seven of their collection’s items had not yet arrived by playing with leftover materials they created something new - and hilarious. The gothic brand made light of the situation by utilising a calico sheet and spray-paint text that read, “FK UPS DRESSES DIDN’T ARRIVE”. Although not intended, this gained brand features in publications including DAZED Magazine.
The line between digital and real was also blurred, most notably in the LAUGESEN presentation that showed how the two elements can work in tandem.
Saville Row is not just for men. In fact, one of the most insightful events I attended during London Fashion Week was a Sustainability Panel that took place early morning at The Huntsman. Hosted by the powerhouse CEO of the British Fashion Council, Caroline Rush, I got an insight into the iconic fashion houses’ latest project - The Huntswoman of Tomorrow Collection.
My discussion with Head Ladieswear Cutter Magdalena, Creative Director Susan Bender Whitfield, and Sustainability Advisor Florence Kollie Raja gave lots of insight into the future of long-lasting fashion so keep your eyes peeled for more updates with that here.
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Contrary to my serious-seeming above points, Fashion is still so so fun! London Fashion Week especially was a testament to this through the loud and proud street style - a lot of which was actually very budget friendly with many of the interviews I’ve since seen showing attendees to be in high street items to be paired with the typical designer pieces.
In fact, although Paris Fashion Week may be known to take itself more seriously, MERYLL ROGGE’s presentation as part of the week had a great sense of humour. Taking place at a bowling alley under a metro station, I felt as though I’d been transported back to the ‘80s - and with it being an AW collection there was fitting cheesy Christmas music as part of the soundtrack to the event.
Here’s to next season and a well-needed rest!