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Credit: Catwalking.com

Demonstrating a lot of ideas may prevent the audience from becoming bored, and show your versatility; but it can also be jolly confusing. This show had some wonderful pieces and some skillful cutting and garment construction, but by showing so many themes it was at times hard to know what the key seasonal message was all about.

The coats with faux fur trims and panels were followed by denim jackets with a hint of biker style zip and cropped silhouette, worn with origami bubble skirts, which in turn were followed by layered skinny knits. Just as one supposed the balance was between contrasted silhouettes we were shown soft floppy shapes in open work knits which had a subtle semi punk style them and were in bold colour blocking. Then there was yet another switch of mood in the next group which followed; chic dresses for the cocktail hour in ivory or loganberry crepe with an almost couture cut and construction to them.

If your head is reeling a little from this variety the finale was several dresses featuring wonderful decoration in glittering paillettes (oversized sequins) and tiny fabric squares forming a almost Paco Rabanne '60s effect.

Each group of styles was well worked through and the layering of the skinny knits was especially effective in shades of beige and tea rose or ecru and tangerine, however the show as a whole perhaps indicated designers who were anxious to exhibit too many skills.
This was definitely a show which will probably look terrific in the showroom and sell like hot cakes when given space to breath.

One final work of advice - never select shoes which overwhelm the clothes!

Report by Tony Glenville

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