London Fashion Week: The Exhibition
As a fashion capital of the world, London breathes fashion. It is the home to many of the most sought-after designers, including Burberry, Nicole Farhi, Paul Smith, and Philip Tracey. Walking on the heels of these fashion giants is no easy task.
However, the British Fashion Council presents up-and-coming designers that have the potential to compete with the established brands every year. “The Exhibition” is spread over two floors, housing 110 designers. It is broken into merchandised featured areas where the BFC showcases its annual initiatives: “NEWGEN,” sponsored by Topshop, features some of London’s most innovative designers: “Estethica” celebrates brands that produce eco-sustainable designs; and, “Hedonism” creates a platform rising British milliners.
Walk with Neon Tommy, as we discover some of the UK’s most innovative brands.
Kat Maconie
Pearl
Sister by Sibling
UK-born designers Joe Bares, Sid Bryan and Cozette McCreery state their ideal customer is “A girl with a good sense of humor and a fun, happy attitude,” which is easily translated through their colorful, sparkly, knitted Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Showcasing for the NEWGEN initiative, this group of quirky designers are making way for a new, humorous style.
Ríchard Braqo
These pearled speared pierces will go right through your heart as you look through Ríchard Braqo’s Spring/Summer collection. As the first recipient of the Cesare Paciotti Accessories Award for shoe design at the Parson’s School of Design, Braqo executes designs of the highest quality. “The premier collection is really about a personal quest for identity juxtaposing masculine details with the feminine silhouette,” states Braqo. This season’s collection does just that, linking innovation and sophistication to make heels that are not to be overlooked.
MariaFrancescaPepe
Sophia Webster
The Aztec open-toe Bootie
Sophia Webster offers luxurious eye candy for her Spring/Summer 2013 collection. “Spring/summer 2013 is inspired by the traditional dress of the Hmong people, Yayoi Kusama and deconstructed Aztec prints, all with a tropical West Palm Beach feel,” explains Webster. With her signature single soles, feminine lines and strong silhouettes, Webster is a designer to look out for.
Úna Burke
Twisted Breast Plate
Mawi
This season, Mawi announces its debut line of soft accessories with a collection of luxury clutches. Architectural jewels and perspex spikes cover gold, silver, fuschia, and neon green glitter fabrics and neon faux furs to make a clutch that creates an “acid femininity.” As part of the NEWGEN initiative, these highly innovative accessories are a must-have this season.
-Reach writer Alanah Joseph here