Not a girl, not yet a woman – Ryan Lo presents his first solo runway show. Image: Dan Sims
On Thursday 19th February LCF kicked off London Fashion Week AW15 by celebrating the class of 2015 with the MA15 Womenswear show at The Wallace Collection. And then, after a ferocious five days of model dressing, seating plans and photographer flashes, London Fashion Week came to a close and the fashion crowd moved on to Milan.
LCF featured prominently this season, with alumni talent showing across all five days, not only with catwalk shows, but also in the Somerset House presentation and showroom displays. Whilst the fashion designers are making a name for themselves on the catwalks, LCF’s alumni filled the rows at shows working as journalists and buyers, or working hard behind the scenes as hair and make-up artists, pattern cutters and PRs.
BA (Hons) Fashion Design Techology Menswear alum J.W. Anderson’s power-dressing collection harked back to the silhouettes of the 80s with the catwalk itself reminiscent of an 80s office interior, and the garments giving off a distinct ‘Working Girl’ vibe. However, the designer took a softer and more elegant approach to the trend that has been reinterpreted many times, with Vogue suggesting that:
“The underlying ugliness of those eighties shapes (that we all remember) was nixed with the help of Anderson’s light touch, and his love for long-line silhouettes.” adding, “It was a slam-dunk lesson in making nostalgia feel relevant and elegant.”
Brazilian BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Knit alumnus Lucas Nascimento’s runway show was dominated by tropical prints and androgynous jackets while fellow BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles alumna Hannah Weiland’s Shrimps brand took us on a journey through space and time. The dark glittering cave was the perfect backdrop for her outerwear focused collection, wonderfully contrasted with the autumnal hues, juxtaposed textures, bright faux-fur and PVC.
Shrimps AW15 collection. Image courtesy of dh-pr.
BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear alumna Sophia Webster took her unconventional designs to the next level this LFW, unveiling her ‘Freak Like Me’ circus themed collection. Pom-poms, tartan, leopard print and witty typography, all decorated Webster’s beautifully over-the-top creations, with the models themselves sporting geometric masks and three-dimensional shapes.
At the Topshop Show Studio space on Tuesday was BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology Womenswear alumnus Ryan Lo, who was recently shortlisted for the LVMH Prize. His collection was inspired by Yayoi Yukino, the central character of the Japanese anime Queen Millennia, Anna Karenina and her native Russia, Swan Lake, and even Elsa of Disney’s Frozen.
Aside from the busy catwalk schedule, the LFW showrooms at Somerset House were packed with LCF alumni talent, from gorgeous shoes by Camilla Elphick alongside beautiful bespoke handbags designed by Sarah Williams, to Lady Gaga inspired ‘selfie hats’ from Christian Cowan-Sanluis.
Bespoke bags from LCF Alum Sarah Williams – LFW presentations showroom
Off schedule at the Fashion Scout Freemasons Halls, BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear 2014 graduate Jinhee Moon, who was named winner of ‘The Best Directional Use of Colour & Textile Award’ at the LCF BA14 catwalk show, featured in the ‘Ones to Watch’ line up. Other alum showing as part of the Fashion Scout schedule this year included Mariana Jungmann, Xiao Li and Min Wu.
Also Burberry kindly offered 10 lucky LCF students tickets to watch their fantastic show. Make sure you are reading your MY LCF Newsletters for similar amazing opportunities.
Read more…
- MA15 Womenswear Catwalk Show
- BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear
- BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear
- BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles
- BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Knit
- BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear
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