British knitwear designer Craig Lawrence underwater themed SS13 show was a particular highlight of London Fashion Week. The clothes were metallic with a lot of different textures. Lawrence said that he ‘craved purity’ after his last colourful show and this entire collection was silver or white. Lawrence used kyototex metallic yarn and techno fibres, and as the camera’s flashed the clothes glowed. Absolutely beautiful.
I walked into Bedford Square to see JW Anderson’s SS13 collection and was awed by the venue. The marquee built in the square was beautifully designed and there was a beautiful reception to greet the press and celebrities that were there. Daisy Lowe, Pixie Geldof, Corrine Bailey-Rae and Nicola Roberts were all FROW, as was legendary fashion writer Hilary Alexander.
The clothes were divine. Metallic clothes with the occasional splash of colour and geometric hemlines were the order of the day. Frost Magazine has an interview with JW Anderson here and some backstage photos. 
“the collection draws it’s inspiration from the couture shapes of the 1960’s , combined with an ongoing fascination with the work of Lucio Fontana’s ‘slashed’ canvases, and the development of textile techniques and finishing unique to the label.’
On Tuesday morning I headed over to see Adam Andrascik round the corner from Somerset House. The shows was held in a room with the models standing around its edges so the audience could walk up, take photos, admire the clothes and drink champagne!
Sadly, this was the time my camera chose to run out, so I had to make some quick sketched of the collection to give an idea….
The collection made up of clean, elegant clothing. Shirts and A-line skirts featured in a futuristic but feminine a style, as we have seen in a lot of shows over this S/S13.
Classic shapes and silhouettes at the front of the garments give way to bellowing sheer fabric at the back, creating a twist to familiar cuts.
Shiny and sheer fabrics mixed together to create each look. This, combined with the models swept back hair, dark eyebrows and clean make up created a futuristic and alien feel.
Adam Andrascik S/S13 collection, is beautiful, wearable and sophisticated. Perfect for the modern day woman.
http://adamandrascik.com/
The finale to London Fashion Week S/S13 was Fashion Fringe, a platform set up to help young design talent to display their collection.
As a design student myself I am always glad to see young designers being helped by those already established in the industry, and i know and appreciate how much work and dedication goes into making a collection and starting up a business.
For Fashion Fringe ten young designers are chosen from thousands and those ten are then whittled down to three. The winner is then announced at the end of the show.
This years finalists were Haizhen Wang, by Haizhen Wang, a graduate from Central Saint Martins who has previously worked for Max Mara, Boudicca and All saints before establishing his own label in 2010. Wangs S/S13 collection is inspired by architect Santigo Calatrava and Japanese amour. It featured precise lines and had echos of both femininity and masculinity. 3D digital printing was also used on the collection adding a futurist feel to his work.
Teija by Teija Eilola. Eilola, a graduate for RCA and previously head of women’s wear at Ted Baker. Her S/S13 collection “All that is Solid” was feminine and sophisticated with soft, earthy colours and luxurious fabrics swishing down the catwalk. The trench coats and outwear had exiting cuts and shapes with with large silhouetted sleeves. Personally this was my favourite collection and I loved the contrasted use of draping mixed with pattern cutting.
Vita Gottlieb, by Vita Gottlieb, a Fine Art Graduate from Central Saint Martins set up her label in 2012. You could never tell but she has no formal fashion training and has instead taught herself. Her Fashion Fringe S/S13 collection is entitled “The night garden” and is an explosion of cultures and textures coming together, with interesting silhouettes and bright colours making her collection stand out. With amazing fabrics and shapes Gottlieb’s collection is truly unique and beautiful.
As the last show of S/S13 there was a sense of excitement in the air and as the show ended everyone waited with baited breath for the winner to be announced. Each designer was so different and each collection so powerful it would a hard decision to make.
This year Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Office of Burberry was judge of the competition and presented the awards.
In the end he chose Haizhen Wang collection. As Wang came on to collect his trophy, made by jewellery designer Jessica McCormack, it was clear as he lifted the trophy over his head in triumph how ecstatic and happy he was to have won.
It was a lovely end to a great fashion week, with everyone looking forward into the future for new young talent and a whole new generation of designers.
Fashion we
ek always approaches quickly, do you get excited?
It is an exciting week and it obviously gets a bit stressful but it’s all part of the process. Everything always happens at the last minute!
Your new collection has just launched at Topshop, are you pleased with it?
I am super pleased with it. The store layout is incredible and it was so exciting seeing hundreds of people turning up. It was amazing to see everything from blankets, jumpers to iPhone cases selling so quickly!
What is the key concept behind your Spring/Summer 2013 collection?
It centers around the idea of filling a white canvas which then becomes part of the garment. I have tried to combine extremely technical methods with a feeling of heritage.
What’s your secret to keeping cool and focused during fashion week?
Drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruit. I also try to keep my phone turned off, as it means I can really concentrate on the task in hand and keeps me from getting distracted.
What’s your secret to success?
Believe that it has already happened and a lot of hard work!
What are you looking forward to most at Fashion Week?
That minute before the show!
How do you keep fit / looking so good?
Drinking lots of water and turning off for 2 hours of the day
Why are you working with BRITA?
The is such an innovative product and is a cost effective alternative to drinking bottled water when you’re out and about. I don’t think you should have to pay for water. It should be everyone’s right, but it should taste good.
Sunday night in the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair the catwalk was strewn with petals for the showing of Luna Skys S/S13 collection. Luna Sky is a London based designer who creates red carpet pieces for the “modern elegant women”
Never having heard of the designer before, I was interested to see what we would be treated to. In the description of the collections that awaited us on our seats, Swarovski crystals and sequins were mentioned and, having never been a fan of either I have to admit I was a little skeptical. However as the lights went down and the first model walked slowly down the catwalk i have to say I was impressed
Each dress was elegant, well made and feminine. From hem lines that scraped the knee, to full blow trains embroidered with petals and crystals each dress was red carpet worthy and reminiscent of American prom style dresses.
The models one at a time dream like floating down the catwalk their hair swept back, make up minimal and elegant. The colour pallet ranged fromsSoft blues to greens and yellows.
Finishing touches completed the look, for example matching floral pom pom shoes added a cute twist, and strings of crystals and delicate material flowers wrapped themselves around the models wrists.
A particular favourite was a one shoulder number in light blue which came down the the thigh, over the top of the skirt was a see through train which sashayed down the catwalk creating a young yet sophisticated look.
It was refreshing to see a catwalk show done slowly one model at the time and it felt as if the audience had been taken back to a private viewing in the 1950’s.
Afterward having a post show drink with a friend in a bar I ran into one of the models Chloe Woollcott who had come down from the Scottish Island of Rothesay to model for Luna Sky. She herself enjoyed modeling the collection and found them well fitting, (despite some of the dresses and heels being a little hard to walk down a catwalk in) . She stood out , looking lovely in the crowded bar with her 50’s vibe hair and make up still in place from the show.
Luna Sky’s collection is defiantly a must for any young woman who wants to look and feel like a princess!
http://www.lunaskymoda.co.uk/
Photo: Alexander Cook
This years Merit Award Winner was Heohwan Stimulation S/S13 ….
Heohwan’s collection was classic, clean cut with strong geometric shapes and monochrome prints. Fresh black white and grey looks were splashed with colour through cropped lime green jackets, a floaty orange and yellow coats. The strong lines of the square jacket and tops matched loose elegant trousers and wide skirts creating sunning silhouettes that swept down the catwalk.
Highlights of the collection were the high necked grey trench coat, the leather pieces pierced with holes and the top skirt combination that two twins ended the show.
For anyone who likes a fresh classic modern look the Heowan Simualtion S/S13 is a collection to defiantly look out for.