In February, we attended the London Fashion Week A/W20, which has raised many questions within the industry as to whether Fashion Week is now lagging behind in terms of sustainability and ethical design. Organisation, Extinction Rebellion wrote an open letter to the British Fashion Council asking the organisation to cancel fashion week in favour of a radical re-think of how fashion is responding to the climate crisis. An international stage such as LFW should be the platform to lead by example and change the way we understand the future of fashion and its environmental impact. And although this is a slow process, London is an innovative and creative hub of radical thinkers that needs to set a president in how the industry both showcases and supplies fashion on and off the catwalk.
ON | OFF - Earth Logic
‘The Earth Logic Plan’ was launched at the beginning of LFW at the ON|OFF catwalk show - Earth Logic is an action research plan using world-leading science and evidence to offer opportunities for real transformation within the industry. Created by Centre for Sustainable Fashion Professor Kate Fletcher and Professor Mathilda Tham, they both wanted to make the catwalk guests think about how we can “reconsider our actions in order to save our beautiful planet and future generations” by reading a poem at the opening and showcasing a political clothes runway collection.
Vin&Omi
Designers Vin&Omi once again use recycled materials in innovative ways to creative a ‘resist and rethink’ concept catwalk show, in true Vin&Omi style using dramatic animal-inspired head pieces.
Charlotte Knowles
LCF Alumni had a huge presence across the week, from Charlotte Knowles' collection of sculpted elliptical corsetry layered over silkscreen tees, to RIXO’s floor of roses catwalk treaded by models including a silver greyhound dog called Toni.
RIXO
RIXO’s makeup was likewise inspired by roses in bloom with a pink-washed pigment blossoming out across the temples, and jewelled dew drops accenting the inner eye.
SHRIMPS
LCF Alumni Hannah Weiland’s, Shrimps stole our hearts with her collection celebrating the ‘British wardrobe and Queen’. Last year as the royal household fell into step with much of the fashion industry going fur free. Shrimps reimagined her wardrobe with its signature faux fur coats and vivid colours, with hot pink being her preferable shade of choice, coming in silk dresses and an embellished Alice band. Checked skirts paid tribute to British heritage and a royal garden print on a beautiful coat matched the rose covered carpet. She ended the show spectacularly with a finale of gowns fitting for a state banquet.
JW Anderson
Jonathan Anderson catwalk was Nouveau chic - coined for his eponymous collection, the show garnered a vigorous nodding of heads both backstage and front row. He offered clarity to the change in fashion for the new decade with a definitive signpost shown for women. With his sharp-eyed designs he offered variety amongst his line for every sophisticated woman wanting the perfect outfit.
