MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF: LFW Spring 2011-"Corpse Brides"

There was a debate on how creativity ends and commerce begins at Meadham Kirchhoff's daring and eclectic Spring Collection LFW2011. The visionary duo presented ethnic influenced collection of princesses as far as India and Spain.

A myriad of colours added some dose of rainbow to the outright monotones of the previous collections of the event.

Hand painted jackets over hot pink, iridescent yellow chiffon skirts dashed the runway complete with tiaras.

 In a fantastic vengeance to their detractors, the duo have decided to refine on the themes of the last collection, this time imagining spooky girls in wash out glitters, sashaying in some underworld where flowers had been dyed in color riots.

The dead moth-eaten laces, dissolved and dyed jacket, emulate senses of personal effects of the duos style memorabilia....

The continuos dip-dyed dissolving dresses amounted to a sense of lost innocence, indicating something deeply personal for the duo. The eerie sense of  strange  interpretation of Meadham Kirchhoff’s corpse beauties were just transitions to harmonizing elements of each piece from silk inserts,pleats to laces.

 The potential of casual-dressy-casual transitions in almost every piece, with varieties in hemlines and shapes, more range in separates and lovely light layering collaborated every piece without clutter. 

 Assertive, almost subversive, the ultra traditional little blouses tops mixed with layered blouse in mini- window cut outs, explored wearable separates. Lemon yellows were eye refreshing silhouettes, neo vintage classics in volumes. Nice staples like ruffles and loosed waists – but with excellent constructions, fits and aesthetic balance. 

Continuing their edgy tradition, taking surface treatments to a stellar platform, the jagged edges, angular shapes and digital prints were Meadham Kirchhof's wow points....Stunningly, breathtaking! 

MARY KATRANTZOU:LFW Spring 2011-Mary had a little Lamp!!

Mary Katrantzou's Spring Collection revelled  treasure troves in her style attic past, like play houses and dolls. Katrantzou's fantastic journey unfurled eye-popping covetable pieces, enthralling us once again with her surprise elements.

Carnival rainbow of hues, art nouveau, 3-D, al frescoes and digital prints create fabulous wearable pieces as expected from this creative young designer...and nothing came shorts of illusions and magic!

Her structural outfits in pure splash of colors, came with high finished tailoring. Katranzou's journey to the baroque and Disneyland influence, leaves us in twirling fantasy at her first solo runway show yesterday in Waterloo.

Like Alice, Mary's playhouse fantasy of  curtains draped on structured bodice with playful lampshades that became her theatrical skirts where Katrantzou played miniature movies of little kitchen with little cups and saucers.

Surreal images of gardens are visuals, juxtaposed by her geometric fluidity in tailoring techniques. Godet inserts, pleats, ruching  and frills of rich silks in emerald , rubies, mint greens and chocolate were little detailing that made Katrantzou's haute naughty collection amongst the desirables in somewhat less eclectic London Fashion Week season.

BORA AKSU : London Fashion Week Spring 2011- Turkish Delight

Very successful at his Istanbul Fashion Week 2011 participation earlier, Bora Aksu was back in London to showcase his Spring 2011 collection, which was dedicated to ants...!!!! Of fashion’s design entrant AKSU would stand out as the most experimental.

His shows tend to assail the senses not only through colour and structure but also through innovative concept. Bora Aksu's minimal seaming and jaxtaposed hard-soft fabrics trendsets the industry. His works caught the attention not only editors and stockist but also major players like the creative duo- Dolce and Gabbana.

 A London- based Turkish designer, Bora Aksu had launched his label, subsequently creates not mere garments, but feminine and wearable pieces. Started his first design collection by unveiling inspiration from duvet covers, tea towels and granny underpants. He may have learned his craft from London Central Martins where he graduated.

 Inspired by curves of the Fifties and the body of the ants, his Spring Collection showcased dresses with cinched-in waists, layers of lace , wisp of chiffon in bold contours. Knitted ants on hair and wrists along with messy high buns ctreated warrior women at high noon.