London Fashion Week has always been the red-headed stepchild of the show schedule (beat out only by the nearly defunct L.A. Fashion Week.) But things are definitely looking up for the British shows.
Anna Wintour, a Brit herself, is famously attending for the first time in ages, and there’s no denying the sheer star power of participating designers such as Matthew Williamson and Julien MacDonald.
One of my fave London seamsters, Charles Anastase (an early supporter of Beth Ditto who caught flack for outfitting the plus-size diva — ludicrous!) showed his vision for Spring 2010, and, as usual, he mixed the sublimely beautiful with the firmly tongue-in-cheek.
Hints of prom night, Scarlett O’Hara (with hoop skirts that stopped at the knee) and the Farmer in the Dell (via overalls) rang out as he played with the juxtaposition of fitted and garbage-bag-esque silhouettes in solid, shiny fabrics. There was also an era mash-up happening, with flecks of Victorian (a lacey colored top) abutting thirties sensibilities.
The end result? Way fun and unexpected. Which was just what I expected.
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