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Trend Alert: What I Learned From London Fashion Week

By Emily Duff


Now that the first day of in-person shows at London Fashion Week are over, one thing is for sure: Pink. Is. In.


Helen Anthony


Starting our morning with the Helen Anthony show at The Bloomsbury Ballroom - the show drew heavy influence from underground '70s and anyone who knows me, knows l'm obsessed with '70s style. Made up of oversized suits and all things satin and sequin, each item was dazzling - and very sheer! 

Made for the daring, each item accentuated the body - focused on appreciating curves and nudity, rather than covering it. 

Paul & Joe


Then to the absolutely glamorous Paul & Joe show at The Langham Hotel Ballroom - inspired by Lewis Carol's wonderland, the show featured shades of pastels, focused mainly on marshmallow pink and hot pink with accents of pistachio green and lemoncello yellow. designed by Sophie Mechaly, the show transported us to a “secret garden” through designs like “magical mushrooms [that] are embroidered and printed on luxuriant silks,evoking the decadent symbolism and imagination of 19th century English literature”. 

Everything about this show invited you in, starting with the delicious pre-show drinks (sparking elderflower or virgin mojito, anyone?). Pink was also used more carefully throughout this show, with hints of the colour in elements from head scarves and hats to skinny belts. 

JU-NNA


On to JU-NNA, presented by FASHION SCOUT at Protein Studio, this event was jam-packed with colour and diversity. Featuring my top pick of the weekend, the ‘Dami Dress’ (pictured second), this collection was bursting with vibrant colours of yellow, blue, green and - you guessed it - pink. A mix of geometric shapes and patterns really drew you in, elevating a sense of confidence and bravery, although in a very different way this has the same touch  as Helen Anthony’s collection did. 


Focused on demonstrating both structure and fluidity - designer, Jun Nakamura, studied at Madangoni and credits them for encouraging abstract methods. The collection was dedicated to the traditional Japanese Shibori heritage and utilised the typical organic cotton and linen materials found in this skill, but with a modern twist. 

OQLIQ

Moving to Ministry of Sound for the OQLIQ show - an absolutely perfect venue full of oversized disco balls and a show full of wearable fashion. My favourite feature of this collection has to be the elongated, hexagonal pleats that bring purposefully creased appearing clothes into the mainstream - something I can definitely get behind.

Continuing the trend of being bold, OQLIQ’s collection, titled Aura protection, brought the brand's mission of “wearable confidence” through each piece. Again, utilising pink, but in a more subdued way paired with whites and beiges that allows the clothing to speak for themselves.

Rue Agthonis

Finally, I ended the night at the Corinthia Ballroom for the Rue Agthonis show. The soft colours and tones of the Ballroom where why the location was selected, chosen to “emphasise the feminine radiance” of the brand’s show. Bringing soft hues of pink complimented by blue tones and combined with a mixture of delicate feathers and elegant long sleeves, the collection mirrored the opulent architecture of the venue. 

Utilising the classically British materials of gingham and tweed, this was combined with oversized sequins to create a contemporary combination - linking back to the ‘70s influences of Helen Anthony’s show at the beginning of the day. The brand’s sentiment of “Love, Quality and Positive Beauty” was glowing throughout the show - and what better colour to demonstrate femininity and love than pink? I have a strong feeling 2023 will be a year of new wave feminism and a stronger sense of “appreciation for women” - something Rue Agthonis made the forefront of this gorgeous collection.


 

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