Fashion gurus and famed designers took to the runways of the British capital to show off their creative visions for seasons Autumn/Winter 2013-2014. What was characteristic of the collections at this year’s London Fashion Week was the emphasis on female delicacy and finesse. In addition, there was finally some light in the colours department and a few outfits and fabrics that stood out above all.
The Renaissance Woman
A number of designers shared that they have taken inspiration from previous ages of history and more specifically the Renaissance. Among them were names Marios Schwab and Peter Pilotto. Both of them showed delicate designs with intricate embellishments. Pilotto also used intricate broideries and knits that highlighted the feminine silhouettes. However, the designer combined the medieval with the modern. The final result of that mix was women who looked gentle and powerful at the same time. Schwab, on the other hand, presented Renaissance-inspired outfits that also had a trace of femme fatale. He showed off his signature floor-length dresses which included Swarovski crystals here and there.
Colour and Mood Mix
Over the last few years, autumn and winter collections were predominantly grey and black. It seems that this trend has again managed to survive. Dark colours were often seen at the London Fashion Week. Michael Van Der Ham’s collection was rich in navy, but it often combined it with greens and auburns. However, that wasn’t the case with Richard Nicoll’s designs that were all-grey. At least Nicoll impressed the audience with his interesting choice of fabrics. For example, in his collection there were cashmere suits and dresses from nappa leather.
Pretty dark were the creations of Mark Fast. The designer used the idea of the fallen angel as an inspiration. Although the tones in Fast’s collection were predominantly dark, there were a few bright ones.
A nice surprise was Matthew Williamson’s autumn/winter collection. His designs were very creative and fresh. Williamson offered a new look for the fashion in those two seasons. The designer was not afraid to use bright colours. Also, his collection included many prints, patterns and even ethnic embroideries.
The Key Stars
Everyone was impressed by the collections of Alice Temperley and Mulberry. Temperley impressed with the fact that her designs were ready-to-wear. She showcased a heavy use of big sunglasses and leather gloves. Temperley also relied on dark colours. However, she successfully mixed them with blue, white and burnt orange. In comparison, Mulberry preferred oversized and chunky designs and accessories which somehow managed to be stylish.
The bottom line is that the Autumn/Winter fashion season will finally give us some new colour choices, including many prints and patters. Still, it will remain mainly dark. Cashmere was seen in the collection of many designers in London. Judging by that, pencil skirts will also be pretty big towards the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014.
