The jungle red carpet gleamed behind the throngs of feisty fashionistas who were all shoving their stilettos and purses forward to be the first one to break through the barrier to the catwalk – London Fashion Weekend had arrived and I was along for my first exhilarating taste of fall fashion.
As I made my way past the crowds I entered into a dark hallway and then into the catwalk space, which was illuminated with a dark red light that contrasted the bright white catwalk that dominated the entire space. Chills of excitement ran down my spine as I walked across the runway where the brilliant and exquisite creations of Christopher Kane, Matthew Williamson, Christopher Bailey and more had walked through just days before.
I took my seat and quickly saw that London’s most eclectic and tasteful fashion followers surrounded me. Scattered throughout the audience were plush fur vests and coats, combat boots and military styled jackets and skin-tight leather leggings – the fashion sitting in the audience was a show all in itself.
I was jerked out of my people shopping daze when the red lights dimmed, leaving the room pitch black and suddenly the catwalk’s bright white light lit up as the host of the fashion show teetered out to introduce the collections I was about to view.
The first collection, which was an anthology of different London-based designers, was an interesting mix of eccentric and ethereal pieces that were tied together by their soft pastel colors and Black Swan influences. Voluminous pale peach and gray tutus floated down the runways on models with high ballerina buns and glamorous feathers, jewels and headpiece accessories that kept the collection modern. There were also lace and chiffons tops in different pastel shades with ornate details and ruffles complemented by the 1950s silhouettes on the skirts and dresses. One look that was especially exquisite was a short black dress by Richard Sorger with a full skirt and corset top that was decorated by pop-up flowers on the bodice and bottom of the dress. A silver fox collar and patent leather black Mary Jane heels completed this outfit. All in all, this theatrical collection was able to evoke a fairytale-like essence mixed with punk accents and 50 style shapes and silhouettes. At the end of this collection I felt as though I had woken up from a hauntingly beautiful and thrilling dream – and I wanted to go back to sleep.
The next installment in the show was the Spring Summer 2011 collection by Bora Aksu, a well-established London-based designer who comes from a Turkish background. While one might see ants as a pesky insect, Aksu was able to look past their mundane qualities and use the beauty and delicacy that an ant possesses in his runway collection. With the shape of an ant in mind, Aksu sent padded corsets cinched at the waists and full short bubble skirts down the runway in striking shades of metallic grays, silvers and reds. The corsets had distinct geometric and futuristic shapes that made them pop against the nude colors of the models skins. Complete with many details, these padded corsets marched down the catwalk like ants on their way back to their ant holes.
From London all the way across the pond to Rochester, people are anxiously anticipating Prince William and Kate’s royal wedding, and this excitement over the royal wedding was apparent in the second collection of London-based looks titled “Lady Brights”. The regal and elegant silhouettes in this collection were contrasted against the bright neon colors of the clothes. Conservative pencil skirts, cocktail dresses and sweater sets graced the runway in shocking hues of highlighter neon orange, yellow and pink. Deep aqua and amethyst Grecian draper halter dresses looked like gemstones that had melted onto the models bodies floated down the runway in a fluid sweep. The neon color pallet unified the collection as well as the conservative cuts and crowns, which all the models on the runway adorned. The pieces in this collection were perfect for Sunday brunch at your grandmothers’ house – that is of course if your grandmother does not mind if you show up in a bright yellow lace dress with short full skirt, neon green shoes and of course, a crown.
The final part of the collection was the Spring Summer collection by the Canadian designer Mark Fast who is famous on the London Fashion scene for his unique stitching methods and his refusal to use size zero models. All of the pieces that Fast presented were created on a domestic knitting machine in which he combines lyrca with wools, and all of the pieces are molded to the body as he knits. The collection had an overwhelming aura of glamour, optimism and psychedelic beauty. Black body suits and short knit lycra dresses were adorned with colorful fringe swayed down the runway. Additionally, he sent tight short dresses decorated with feathers and Swarovski crystals that created a mesmerizing line of colors, shapes and textures. All of which were tied together by their unique knit style and inspiration of the way that lycra lays on the female figure.
Just as quickly as the bright lights and fast paced music had over taken the runway, they soon were gone, as were the beautifully crafted clothes, signaling that my first fashion show had come to an end. Still consumed with thoughts of pale pink tutus and bright pink lace skirts, I drifted across the catwalk and back into real life. But all I could think of as I left was, I had just had my first addicting taste of a fashion show and I desperately wanted another bite or two.