Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending a very special launch at the Old Selfridges Hotel. Though I’m not a huge Star Wars fan, I was so stoked to attend the Fashion Finds The Force collection unveiling. It seems like I wasn’t the only one, there was a buzz of anticipation in the air from the fash pack, who are usually a little too cool for school.
The presentation began with dimmed lights and hushed silence before music started blaring and none other than R2-D2 and C3PO emerged! Admittedly, I’ve never seen a Star Wars film but the characters, music and imagery are so iconic it’s impossible not to recognise them. The stage was then invaded by an army of stormtroopers, securing the perimeter and ensuring the crowd was kept in check. The atmosphere was electric, I’ve never experienced a presentation this intense.
After the stormtroopers exited stage left, the real fashion began. Twenty models filed into the secured area, each dressed in a limited edition look head-to-toe. Ten leading British designers took part in the Fashion Finds The Force collaboration, each designing 2 looks inspired by the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens film. The designers involved spanned across womenswear and menswear, representing the most exciting emerging talent from the UK, including Agi & Sam, Bobby Abley, Christopher Raeburn, Claire Barrow, J. W. Anderson, Nazir Mazhar, Peter Pilotto, Phoebe English, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and Thomas Tait.
Though each designer had the same brief, the resulting pieces were so unique. Each designer took slightly different references from the popular film franchise; Peter Pilotto were inspired by the movement of the Millennium Falcon resulting in geometric appliqué and asymmetric hems whereas Thomas Tait was inspired by natural environments and landscapes resulting in beautifully simple pieces.
My favourite pieces were both by Claire Barrow, who was inspired by C-3PO and Captain Phasma. The silver hooded dress was designed to look like a shiny surface reflecting Stormtroopers stood in front of Captain Phasma, listening to her orders while a stunning Swarovski crystal encrusted bodysuit was inspired by the Millennium Falcon going lightspeed into hyperspace.
Each one of piece is up for auction, with the proceeds going towards Great Ormond Street hospital. A range of sweatshirts and tshirts by each designer are available to purchase at Selfridges.
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