London calling. The official Spring Summer 21 season of London Fashion Week has come to a close overnight. Displayed in a new digital format, audiences around the globe were graced with the chance to a front row seat from home this season with live streamed shows, films, designer conversations and more.
Like a well-oiled machine, the British Fashion Council pulled off a seamless and smooth schedule with a combination physical and digital shows and talks. From the sweetest gowns to exaggerated silhouettes and glitter fantasy, we round up our highlights from LFW SS 21.
Victoria Beckham
“Limitations can be liberating… This collection is about freedom - to explore, to dress up, to be yourself.” Speaking with confidence, Victoria Beckham addressed her audience in an opening monologue prior to the SS 21 streamed show. The 21-look collection was shot and filmed at contemporary art gallery, Victoria Miro and featured coats, fluid dresses, denim, elongated trousers, sensual cutouts and accents of crisp colour. “… it’s a dream inspired by reality.”
Burberry
A love story between a mermaid and a shark? Believe it or not, this was the inspiration for Riccardo Tisci’s SS 21 collection for Burberry. A dark, ominous and romantic affair, a true sign of the times we are currently enduring. The live streamed closed set show saw updated signature trench coats with cutouts, cotton, denim and leather detailing, crystal embellishments on sheer dresses, bib-front trousers, printed and ruched jersey, ruffled tulle layers, second skin leggings and so much more.
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Just delightful. A collection made with a very minimal team along with Thea Bregazzi and Justin Thornton’s two children - giving new meaning to the 2020 most overused term of working from home. DIY style mending patchwork prints and knitwear, feminine asymmetrical frills, florals and ruching, splashes of bright colour infusions for a sweet and delicately relaxed and romantic collection.
Erdem
Inspired by Susan Sontag’s novel The Volcano Lover. Filmed and photographed in an ancient Epping Forrest, the audience-less Erdem SS 21 show was a whimsical, feminine and romantic wonder.
Christopher Kane
“I started to paint in my garden, primarily to pass the time and escape the daily onslaught of the Covid pandemic news and Zoom calls. It was liberating and fun.” Christopher Kane took to painting during lockdown to escape his own mind and replace the void of making collections. For SS 21, he created a simplified and reduced collection of clothing that is an extension of his paintings. From glitter, glue and acrylic, Kane’s artworks and clothing are a glimpse into his current mental state and feelings. A collaboration with himself, each is unique and one of a kind. Watch Kane's in conversation with Kirsten Wark on the making below.
Simone Rocha
The collection notes for Simone Rocha SS 21 read, Sobering and exploding, pragmatic and foreboding, personal, provocative, suggestive intimacy, excavating. Voluminous round shapes, curved hips, hand embroidery, jeweled harness accents, pearl detailing, crystal headpieces and matching bags, scoop necklines along with sheer, canvas, satin and brocade fabrications. The Simone Rocha aesthetic.
Molly Goddard
An explosion of colour, prints and joy! An array of neon pink, green, and black checkers, orange floral with black and yellow polka dots, ruffles and voluminous skirts and shapes oh my. Molly Goddard set to brighten up a dark and depressing year and she very well succeeded.
Emilia Wickstead
A refined vision for SS 21. The collection saw a minimalist approach with elegant shapes, delicate bralettes, sweet prints, sleek tailoring and subtle voluminous skirting. Watch the collection film below.
Don't miss our favourite moments from New York Fashion Week SS 21.
Image credits: Photography Andrew Vowles; courtesy Burberry; @preenbythorntonbregazzi and @preenbythorntonbregazzi; Photography Ina Lekiewicz; @christopherkane and @christopherkane; Photography Andrew Nuding; Photography Ben Broomfield; @emiliawickstead and @emiliawickstead.
