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 After New York, fashionistas gather for London Fashion Week (LFW)
where a mix of established names, highstreet labels and emerging
designers will present their latest creations during five days
of runway shows and presentations.
While smaller than fellow fashion capitals New York, Milan and
Paris, the event in London - which is known for its fashion
schools and new creative talent - will host labels including
Burberry, Mulberry, Versace's Versus line and Temperley London.
With some brands using the catwalk to make political statements
during New York Fashion Week, fashionistas expect London
designers could follow suit.
"There seems to be a mood of activism. There seems to be a lot
of people finding a voice," accessories designer Anya Hindmarch
said when asked what to expect this fashion season.
"I think London is all about creativity."
Among the first to present his autumn/winter 2017 collection was
designer Eudon Choi, who dressed models in chunky ribbed jumpers
worn like shawls, wide-leg trousers and sports shoes.
Taking inspiration from architect Adolf Loos, London-based Choi,
who first trained as a designer for menswear in Seoul, presented
a line of "utilitarian designs", adding metallic button-like
fastenings on his tailored looks.
The collection featured shirts with extended backs, quilted
parkas, oversized coats, sweaters adorned with tie details and
satin dresses.
London-based Turkish designer Bora Aksu, who took inspiration
from prominent British suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh
for his line, presented floral as well as frilly dresses in
white, pale pink and blue, with black and white checked jacket
and skirt combinations also featuring.
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Models, some in small hats, wore calf-high black boots on top of
tights embroidered with words such as "love" and "freedom".
More than 50 catwalk shows and 30 presentations will be held during
LFW, which takes place with the uncertainty of Brexit looming over
the industry.
"We don't know what the trade deal is going to be at the moment so
there's a lot of scenario planning around it," Caroline Rush, chief
executive of the British Fashion Council told Reuters.
"The immediate upside ... is that the pound is becoming slightly
lower (which) has meant that tourism has increased ... but of course
the longer term impact we're yet to see."
Two small demonstrations took place outside the main venue.
A handful of women held banners reading "Fight for real age models
at LFW", while separately three women in bikinis and crocodile masks
held banners in the form of handbags with slogans such as "Animals
die for exotic skins".
(Additional reporting by Pedro Caiado and Jane Witherspoon; Editing
by Gareth Jones)
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