LFW Spring/Summer 2014 Day 2 Highlights

Sister by Sibling

My favourite knitwear label is living the American Dream for spring/summer 2014. Inspired by waspy wives, white picket fences and manicured lawns, the design trio behind the award-winning label infused their signature fun and love of prints to create a collection that modern day Stepford Wives would covet. Highlights include the bum-skimming hotpants, twee twinsets, Swarovski detailing and the couture-esque closing looks. 

Orla Kiely

Entering Orla Kiely’s world for SS14 was a welcome respite from dull, grey Somerset House. Think exotic safari meets Girl’s Scout and you have Kiely’s vision for spring; set against a campfire backdrop, animal props and maps galore. The collection featured pretty safari prints, animal embellishment and cute berets with a-line dresses, giving a slight school girl feel with a utilitarian edge. 

Holly Fulton

Holly Fulton’s spring/summer 2014 collection has taken the brand into a new direction, the gorgeous prints and patterns are classic Fulton but the Seventies-inspired aesthetic makes for a potent mix. Soft, smudged prints and an earthy colour palette interspersed with cool blues made for a dreamy collection with long, languid lines. 

John Rocha

As someone who loves John Rocha’s love of texture, the spring/summer 2014 collection was a sight to behold. Usually playful with colour, the collection featured a sprinkling of scarlet and a handful of pretty florals in addition to Rocha’s favourite white and black hues. Dreamy and romantic, the collection features blooming, bell-like skirts as well as form fitting, floor grazing gowns. Images don’t quite capture the sense of movement in this sublime collection. 

David Koma

A master of an ultra modern, futuristic aesthetic, David Koma’s inspiration for SS14 was the ancient Japanese art of Kyudo, a blend of archery and medication. References to Kyudo warriors were abundant throughout, from the bold paneling and harnesses to the armour plating. Strong shapes enhanced the battle-ready feel of the collection, with asymmetric cuts and cut out detailing heightening the Kyudo references. One of the most powerful collections of the season. 

J.W Anderson

Described by Anderson himself as “Avant-bland”, the SS14 collection epitomized deconstructed classicism. Veering between hard, architectural construction and soft, almost flouncy pieces, the look was serene and a big departure from his early, sports-inspired collections. The conceptual, Origami-esque pieces were the stand outs from this collection. 

Ashish

Always one of the controversial but fun shows of the London Fashion Week roster, Ashish took his shimmery sequinny sportswear signature and merged it with a disheveled, morning-after-the-night-before look. Ripped jeans were a personal highlight, as well as the sequinned carrier bags poking fun at familiar high street stores….and the disposable nature of fashion. Ashish is, oddly for a collection so heavily focused on colour and sequins, becoming more and more wearable. 

Mark Fast

Trust Mark Fast to make gothic and punk super sexy. The bodycon king took his signature knitwear, avec shreds, holes and cutaways, coupled with a moody colour palette of steel grey, black and vibrant canary yellow. While the make up was perfection, the hair looked a little too disheveled.