It’s September, a month where school starts, and style begins. After the successful chic week in New York City, London also hosted Fashion Week from 18-22nd September, and the runways were filled with jaw-dropping looks for Spring-Summer 2016. Here are five of the best trends taken straight from the catwalks of the British capital and how to style them.
1. Trend: Eighties Prints, Topshop
British leading fashion retailer Topshop had a very British theme to its collection. The runway was filled with models in giant polka dots, floral dresses leopard print and fur jackets with an edgy rebellious style to it, such as plunging necklines and thigh-high slits. Vogue editor Anna Wintour praised the collection, calling it “enchanting” and “wearable”.
Style tip: Take inspiration from the catwalk itself, by pairing long-line boyfriend blazers with a flimsy printed dress and a bright thin belt. Or try a lace embroidered dress with a high slit for a supermodel-meets- English garden party look. Alternatively, to wear an outfit that can take to from office-dinner, try a pink leopard print chiffon shirt with dark skinny jeans and a fur clutch. It’s simple and versatile.
2. Trend: Classic and Fetish, Vivienne Westwood
Westwood, known for her quintessentially unique imagination, showcased an impressive collection where floral print kimono dresses, monochrome leaf prints, cigarette trousers and lace evening gowns were paired with plastic chokers and crystal body harnesses, blurring the line between classic and sultry. Alongside the artistic designs, Westwood’s signatures were all present: corsets, tartan, scoop necklines and small waists highlighted by nipped-in jackets and, shown alongside the new styles, was incredibly showstopping.
Style tip: Take a break from jeans, and try out black cropped cigarette trousers, pointed-toe heels and a white blouse for a clean and classic monochrome look. Invited to a wedding? A blush pink or lavender lace corset-style gown would look extremely gorgeous and will fit with the romantic theme.
3. Trend: Multicultural clothing, Jonathan Saunders
Scottish designer Saunders is known for his brilliant printed collections. Whether they are floral or galaxy- printed, his elegant collection this fashion week showed was a strong one, and very grown-up. Japanese silk, shimmering discs in Indian mirror embroidery looked sophisticated and not too overdone. A particularly impressive outfit were silk tea dresses. Split high to give a delicate flutter around the legs, this east meets west design received a big thumbs up from the audience.
Style tip: Step out of your black and white comfort zone and trade your boring suit for a Japanese-style silk blouse in a cherry blossom or mint green print paired with a simple skirt or trousers. The oriental piece will surely dress up and make any outfit exciting. If you loved the Indian mirror look in Saunders’ collection but don’t want to look too overdone in college, try wearing a bright scarf with mirror embroidery or a printed silk shirt with a mirrored or beaded collar or buttons for a similar but more simple day outfit.
4. Trend: Chic Contrasts, Burberry
Unsurprisingly, the Burberry show was a popular, star-studded event. With an enviable front row consisting of fashion models Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn and Youtube beauty guru Tanya Burr admiring the military-inspired collection, Christopher Bailey must have been under pressure. However, the luxury brand succeeded to impress with a sensational and stylish collection, showcasing black coats with gold buttons, intricate detailing on dresses and silk pieces, as well as an adapted version of Burberry’s iconic trench coat with mesh and lace. The clothes also presented contrasts – elegant pieces and street style. Oversized cashmere hoodies, slouchy trousers paired with lace vests, and the corsets of the gowns were swapped for an oversized easy fit. The Burberry show was most likely the most anticipated, and the trends did not fail to disappoint, as it was revealed that Burberry plans to cater to the international market as well, so the fixed season idea was dropped in favor for a collection that was about the attitude.
Style tip: Like the models on the Burberry runway, try infusing elegancy with casual street. Black and gold lace was a starring fabric, as well as sheer outfits and silk slip dresses. Dress down similar pieces with unbuttoned trench coats – a Burberry classic one is a great investment, because it is iconic and timeless – nylon rucksacks and flat sandals instead of heels. A gold lace top with simple black harem pants is a wearable look, and if you live in a cold climate, throw on a black jacket with gold buckels over an ivory silk dress for a formal but classic look.
5. Gothic couture, Erdem
A Gothic landscape was the perfect theme for Erdem’s ethereal, dark and romantic dress collection. Known for romantic and delicate lace dresses, this week’s breathtaking show referenced the classic novel “Wuthering Heights” while showing the crowd ruffled and tiered dresses in lace, floral patterns and sheer fabrics. The entire collection was Victorian infused with flower child, as models presented long hemlines, high and prim necklines with ‘cold-shoulder’ cutouts for a modern edge. Silk ruffles, chiffon squares and metallic threads also made their presence, while giving texture to the gowns.
Style tip: Do you have a formal dinner or prom to attend? Follow Erdem’s footsteps and wear a white lace dress with colourful floral embroidery. Or give your daily work wardrobe an Erdem-inspired twist with silk ruffled blouses with high collars or a cold shoulder cutout dress in a sheer fabric under a blazer, which could take you from meeting family to friends.
By Mariam