Riccardo Tisci’s Burberry debut does not disappoint
Unsurprisingly the Italian designer’s first outing for Burberry was one for audiences to delight in and remember. It was both a loyalty-tinged homage to his adopted city (he came to London as a reserved 17-year old from Southern Italy to cut his teeth alongside fashion’s best) and all at once decidedly un-British. Mixing it up for the brand, Tisci paraded models including Rianne van Rompaey, Kendall Jenner and Mariacarla Boscono through an impeccably tonal and vast space in Battersea. His collection was bold, fresh and all encompassing, including everything from activewear to sharp suiting.
Michael Halpern razzle dazzles ‘em
“I’m never going to stop using sequins,” Michael Halpern said to Vogue after his sparkle-spanning show at LFW. And when you become internationally renowned for your colourful take on the industry, why on Earth should you? But the CSM-graduate’s SS19 show sparkled not just because of sequins: shimmering gold organza was woven through textures as well as satin threads and bold multi-hued ottomans.
Richard Quinn one-ups himself
Another CSM graduate who’s seemingly unstoppable, 29-year old Richard Quinn somehow managed to top last season that saw Queen Elizabeth II on his front row. How? The young designer invited kids from all of the schools he had attended to fill the house’s prime positions at a time when he believed “real damage is occurring to the arts education.” He showed off his trademark bright florals, as well as an elegant turn towards sensibility with 20s style flapper dresses, elaborate beading and ostrich feathers.
Hats off to the milliners
Hats – from 90s bucket hats to the downright whimsical– were a major feature of the SS19 shows. Erdem models showed off wide-brimmed boaters decorated with black lace veils not dissimilar to millinery seen at Simone Rocha. Yorkshire-born Matty Bovan created fantasy headwear adorned with plastic bugs, flowers, picket fencing and even kitchen utensils, all balanced precariously on models heads; while Michael Halpern and Alexa Chung worked cool-girl vibes with bold bucket hats.
Sophisticated Neon
An enduring trend throughout the fashion and beauty worlds, neons were turned up again for Spring. But don’t expect just irony and 90s rave references, these brightswere surprisingly grown up. Jasper Conran and House of Holland showcased neon shell and suit jackets, Erdemdid neon gloves and lashings of bright fuchsia silk, while Roksanda’s models rocked theatrical frocks in highlighter pink.
VB and Mary Katrantzou celebrate a decade of flawless fashion
Victoria made an emotional outing at Dover Street for her ten-year anniversary at LFW. She showcased flowing and luxurious eveningwear shapes as well as the sharp tailoring and architectural silhouettes that haveaccelerated her rise to the top.
Meanwhile, queen of digi-printing, Mary Katrantzou also marked a decade in the game with an exceptionallycolourful show at The Roundhouse. She played on her Greek roots as well as her previous ventures, miniaturising motifs from all of her past collections into dainty postage stamps displayed across her garments.
Written by Thea Carley
