LFW Burberry F/W 2013/14

How many ways can Christopher Bailey rework the trench? This signature piece is so ingrained in their DNA that a Burberry show is definitely incomplete without it. However for this season, he put a surprisingly romantic twist to the entire collection. Case in point: when the slogan is ‘Trench Kisses’ and a Live Performance from singer Tim Odell (backed by an entire chorus clothed in Burberry trenches) is revealed halfway, you just know it’s something memorable.

Filled with romantic motifs, it was like Valentines Day but on safari. There were love heart prints and animal prints on blouses, coats and leather skirts. Bold colours like oxblood or signal red were balanced out by the supple neutrals of camel, sand and brown. But back to the trenches. Revamped with added metallic detail in the collar or belt, sometimes with a slick of glossy overcoat and even with an added layer of ‘armour’ so suited to Karlie Kloss. 

In future, it will be a rare occasion when any collection at fashion week moves me in the way that Burberry did this season.

Shop Burberry 

Picture Source: http://www.vogue.co.uk/

Aussies at LFW S/S 2013

London Fashion Week ended several days ago and instead of conforming to the norm and posting a rap-up of my favourite shows (which many bloggers seem to do), I thought I should do things a little differently. Maybe it's about time to subtly wave the Aussie flag (metaphorically of course) and showcase the Australian designers who presented in London. After all, I am very proud of our homegrown visionaries who have certainly made a name for themselves and is able to place local Australian fashion onto an international scale.

Dion Lee

With simple and sleek silhouettes, Dion Lee took graphical detailing to a whole new level ... making them literally 3 dimensional.


Sass & Bide

If Spring/Summer 2013 is going to go by Sass & Bide's vision, there's going to be a lot of crossing between feminine and masculine ... light and dark ... and unexpected touches of embellishments. I loved how the designing duo Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton reworked the men's tuxedo adding details here and there, making it flattering to the female form. Also, that last feathered frock with the military-style ornament just left me speechless. I will say one thing though... personally Sass & Bide never disappoints.


Willow

What struck me in this collection was the mixture of bright separates with sheer languid dresses. Such an unlikely combination to be put into the same show but designer Kit Willow-Podgornik make it work. I think the success is in the carefree and wispy silhouettes projecting this sense of movement as if blown by the wind. A certain edgyness was still apparent with the use of exposed bras and bustiers; harking back to the trend of lingerie as outerwear.