Bunmi Koko AW11 collection ablaze at London Fashion Week

This show started as it meant to go on with a blaze of colour.

The first model wore a 50’s style full skirted dress not only standing out with the abundance of black underskirt netting but the silk skirt hemline was stiffened with curled wiring. The top of the dress was a Kaleidoscope of colours and patterns (also the title of the collection) and to balance out the top with the voluminous skirt, the square folded shoulders were sculpted to stand to attention.

Colours and patterns were bright as seen on this draped jersey dress with an orange suede and lambskin shrug.

The models wore large diamante Perspex wrap around glasses  as though they needed to protect their eyes from any bright colours shooting out from the garments – well her inspiration was that of the scientific and philosophic discoveries of light reflecting off a glass prism, supernovas, mirages and comets. And on this structured sleeved high collared coat there's comets galore.

There was more of a 'Grease' lightening thing going on with this structured sleeve leather jacket teamed with a long sleeved turtle neck and wool jersey suede panel trousers.

Black did creep in for a more classic look as seen on this wool and alpace coat with lambskin trim.

But not for long as seen with this block orange suede amd lambskin dress.

Other colours were ultra violet shades of purple as seen on this wrap top Godat coat.

And pinks and blues as seen on this organza and silk print evening gown.

Patterns played a key role with the geometric shapes of the kaleidoscope patterns...

...to the more blurred edges of a mirage or rainbow.

The styles were an eclectic mix from those voluminous netted skirts in printed silks

to the knee length pencil skirts  in sci-fi metallic leather, teamed here with pleated sleeve bow blouse in plum,

and in black patent leather teamed with draped sleeve shirt.

For me it was a mixed reaction, I wasn’t keen on the futuristic pleated sleeve metallic Godet dress,

but loved the long georgette and sequined evening gown with its side cut outs and sheer panels. Wearing that I could happily study how the light shimmers off the sequins.

Bunmi Koko Spring/Summer 2011 show at London Fashion Week

Kicking off the Vauxhall Fashion Scout at Freemasons Hall Covent Garden was Bunmi Koko.

To celebrate the start of the show a lone Ekpe man danced in a bright red and yellow masquerade costume looking very much like a large pom pom.  It was hard to visualise the collection usurping this, but amazingly it did. 

Hear we saw no pretty summer pastels or girlie styles.

Colours are bold monochrome, bright reds and burnt ochre. Prints are Ekpe, leopard and tie dye designed to create fiery flames. The style epitomises the confident feminine woman who knows what she wants and aims to get it.  Titled ‘Matriarchy’ the collection celebrates female empowerment whilst fusing cultures of Nigeria and the UK.

Callum Best in the background

This is power dressing with a wild twist – sharp tailoring, enhanced waists, and strong shoulders embellished with pom poms, beads and fringing. An eclectic mixture of fabrics and patterns are used together such as tweeds, organza and silk....

......– all accessorised with ornate feathered masks.

Favourites:

The black body con short dress with gold embellishments around the neckline and gold fringing on the skirt and tops of the arms. And of course the silk jersey Ekpe print fringed leggings in monochrome.