London, the smallest of the 'big four' fashion weeks often is a launching pad for British designers who go on to bigger and better things abroad (read Galliano, McCartney, McQueen (RIP), Chalayan, Pugh and Philo). But it seems there is a push to keep things local and make everything bigger, better and more visible in order to engage public interest in the industry. Please read the following article about the new chair of the British Fashion Council, the fabulous founder of Net-A-Porter (Portay of biensur..), Natalie Massenet, after you look at the pics below of course haha :)
http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/sep/22/observer-profile-natalie-massenet
Always a hotbed of excitement and energy, London is of course home to Burberry and Paul Smith, arguably two of the most established fashion houses around; and strong, now newish blood making waves in Mary Katrantzou, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha and Erdem.
The designers I have chosen are a mix of the old guard, the new, and the rebirthed.
Antonio Berardi, Burberry and John Rocha have varying sizes of their houses but all have been London locals for the better part of 2 decades (I remember the late 1990s it's true!). Sexy tailoring and vampy dresses are always on Berardi's runway but this season is more relaxed. Christopher Bailey looks to lace and muted pastels, loving that lavender and murky mustard and mint!
John Rocha studies form in Gothic-y period styles and a nod to Japan, but his collection was decorative, floral and fresh with a dark edge which was just gorgeous. Now I am aware of family run labels where the children take over duties from parents and grandparents but I'm not sure, and correct me please, if there are many other children who have gone on to launch successful labels to compete with their parents, as in the case of Simone Rocha who has taken the world by storm with her what I've termed 'past modern futuristic collections'.
No introduction necessary for Tom Ford, transformed Gucci and YSL, film director, immaculate gentleman! He can do what he wants and he's sticking to his bondage, power and party roots where everything is fabulous and I love it!
Antonio Berardi!
Burberry Prorsum!
David Koma!
John Rocha!
Simone Rocha
Tom Ford!
