LCF MA graduates showcase collections during London Fashion Week

Bringing the runway to life with vivid and bold shades of colour, graduates from LCF’s MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear and Menswear courses kicked off the first day of London Fashion Week.

While SHOWstudio’s expert panel began discussing the show live,  Barbara Kolasinski’s collection hit the runway. Titled The Clan, it was all about texture, mixing traditional heavy plaid fabrics with pastel leather, fur and marabou to bring what was essentially a heritage collection up to date. Midi lengths were teamed with oversized sweaters and crop tops to create a slouchy and curved silhouette. The highlight of the collection was the pink latticed overcoat, finished with powder pink marabou.

Menswear designer Xiaomeng Yang’s models burst on to the runway in head-to-toe shades of electric blue, fuchsia and lime. Floor length trousers were teamed with chiffon shirts and Cuban heeled brogues in matching shades. Softly folded blazers came in elongated and asymmetrical styles to create a contemporary and brave take on the two-piece suit.

Drawing inspiration from the humble beetle, Daniel Yuste’s menswear collection offered a fresh take on sportswear. Titled Insectivore, Yuste showed us turtle-necked neoprene sweaters with over sized proportions to reflect the curved shell of the beetle, teaming these with slim leg trousers to over-exaggerate the shape. The monochrome collection was injected with hues of royal blue that created a very futuristic, masculine image.

And taking the colour palette down a notch was Youjia Jin’s collection that came in shades of charcoal grey and white. Perhaps the most wearable of the collections shown today, Jin offered effortlessly chic and timeless pieces by reworking masculine shapes with beautifully feminine draping. Min Kim showcased a similar colour palette, with an over sized and circular silhouette, with her deep-pocketed silver leather skirt packing a punch while her models glided down the runway to the sound of applause.

• Watch the show again
• #LCFMA14
• Visit the MA14 exhibition, open during London Fashion Week until 16th February 
• Read interviews with the designers
• Listen to the exclusive MA14 track by Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay on the LCF Channel

• Words by Grace Elisabeth Cook, Postgraduate Certificate Fashion: Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism

• Hair by Bumble and Bumble, Make Up by MAC, Nails by Liza Smith.