In keeping with his signature style of soft draping fabrics ebbing with a touch of couture, Ashley Isham’s AW12 collection contemporises both the bold monotone and bright floral prints seen from his last catwalk showcase.
With embellished detail to his floor-sweeping Grecian dresses and the shorter pleated skirts, Isham’s latest designs punctuate the feminine frame, nipping in flowing fabric around the waist, below the breast and lower back, creating an elegant silhouette.
The Singaporean designer’s contribution to London Fashion Week with his ‘My Beautiful Fashion’ set saw the revival of a metallic theme, with clouded sequined strapless dresses to rich bronze tones sweeping the stage.
The models were styled with slicked back hair curled underneath the ends and the make-up unified the metallic undertones of the evening.
Against the shimmering floor-length assymetrical designs, Isham infused a chatter of green floral and fish-scale prints, adding a fresh outset to the collection but re-enforcing his preference for pretty soft-flowing styles.
And it seemed, he was uninterested in hiding the seam within his creations, instead thick zips trailed along the models back, or seduced the eye towards the lacey top-half of his dresses.
A memorable look from the Saturday 18th February show was a full cream-coloured lace ensemble, which delicately wrapped the head yet gripped the body to the waist, before retreating away from the legs towards the floor.
Simple yet stylish, it infused Isham’s trademark Western look with an Arabesque layer, perhaps a subtle digression for future runways.
But, what I have come to respect Isham for is his high-street friendly designs, with the style and cut of his collection fit for the catwalk yet which also easily translate to the wardrobe favourites for the average fashionista.
Despite a power-cut at the start of the show which meant the music was off for a couple of minutes, Isham should be proud of his 2012 achievement, rather than humbly welcoming the applause before quickly sliding out back stage.
By Paloma Kubiak