A/W 2013 London Fashion Week Round up.

Here's a roundup of my favourite designers from the past seven days of London Fashion Week for A/W 2013 – It may seem eager looking at trends for A/W what without us having Summer yet but who knows the way the weather is here we may be wearing these trends sooner than we expect.

Friday 15^th February.

PPQ –

Statement coats were a feature think a move away from Burberry Macs of S/S and instead they have a more sophisticated feel with wide brimmed collars similar to man’s blazer and come in a range of pop colours which are either in block colour, and with a touch of extravagance such as fur and feather colours. Colours to become sweet on are zesty yellow, lime, Barbie pink and soft blue. Not forgetting the unflappable monochrome of black and white. The collection has a sophisticated feel but with glimmers of humour, the chocker dress with peplum ruffles are one of my favourite and the maxi dress with pop art style badges sewn on the side is also a winner.

Central St Martins MA –

The new future of designers emerge from institutions such as Central St Martins, if this rings true for what was shown this A/W 2103 things to expect are gender blurring. The use of textures, layering and pleating shown moved the fabric away from the body allowing it to become its own structure so not dependent on body underneath. This was further reflected in men shown in oversized jumper dress and fish net tights. The future reflected by the current MA students is one of body displacement.

Saturday 16^th February.

House of Holland –

Henry Holland signature looks are based on current hipster London girls this collection is no different low hipster baggy jeans, layering of bold print jumper with cigarette trousers or plumped out skirts. As well as a nod to the early 2000s Oasis inspired Parka they come in traditional khaki with fur trimmed hoods and in a navy. My favourite looks from his collection are the psychedelic print dresses they’re not in garish bold colourings but instead subdued that look good with large belt round the middle for glam look, his patent fitted skirts that sit just above the knee also have a glamorous young feel for the new modern worker.

David Koma –

For A/W he said he was inspired by rhythm, sound and movement, I can see this in the collection by his use of pleating and peplum at the hem of dresses and skirts that move in waves as models walk. Peplum is a trend that is set to stay this upcoming A/W. His use of leather in mix of red and black give the designs a tough exterior but by use of embellishment such as waves in sheer on the arms and sheer panelling it balances the dresses so still looks wearable and approachable.

Sunday 17^th February.

Mulberry –

The collection felt ‘country glamourfied’ by its use of print such as dog tooth and plaid in its coats, capes and tailored tops. It moved away from country glamour by its transgression to crisp white tailored coat, top, trouser combo, very city chic. Layering was key to this collection with most being layered over mid calf length tailored trousers, its sure to be the new length this A/W. Nightmare for most of the public though highlighting the widest part of calf, Ouch.

Unique –

Extremes of length and structure seems to be the key to this collection. Oversized coats, miniskirts, cropped tops, voluming bell sleeves all make for a contrast of shape. An oversized orange coat adds a striking finish to an outfit. Fabric texture varies by use of heavily clustered sequins giving garments a glimmering snake like feel, mixed with fur. The show stopper outfit modelled by Cara Delavigne model of the year 2012 is a sequined crop top with matching mid calf skirt with large slit up the back, defiantly a key trend for next A/W sequins but heavily clustered all over.

Monday 18^th February.

Christopher Kane –

Sophisticated camouflage emerged in forms of flowers that blend into one another over sheer skirts and matching shirts, was also seen in use of colours of brown, mauve and greens that merge into another seamlessly reflecting the light as model walked. It is a retake of the army camouflage trend that we have been seeing lately but re-tailored in a classier way – think urban camo.

Louise Gray –

‘Hey Crazy’ the sign read at the back of Louise Gray catwalk presentation and ‘crazy’ was echoed throughout the collection with brooches and rings in shape of loo roll and dangling furry balls for earrings, definitely crazy accessories. Paint splashes of colour layered over one another mixed in a bric a brac collage style of fabrics make for a bizarre layering of bra over shirts, over peg leg trousers. The trends seen are mixing of bold print and colour- Louise Gray is all about texture and colour this A/W.

J.W. Anderson –

Rhianna esque thigh length splits were prominent throughout the collection. The sexiness of thigh length split skirts and dresses was juxtaposed against roll neck jumpers and half ponchos that cover the shoulders and neck. The recent trend for novelty jumpers is to be replaced this A/W by comic strip print – as seen in dresses and skirts by J.W Anderson.

Tuesday 19^th February.

Meadham Kirchhoff –

To be perfectly reasonable there were not many trends that I could see becoming popular this A/W from Meadham Kirchhoff, the collection had a fantasy costume feel about it. There were models in French maid outfits, others in sailor stripes and a mix of tiaras and veils – making for a look that I can’t see on the high street. The only aspects that could be wearable were tailored black and white panelled coats and tailored blazers teamed with pencil skirts.