Malan Breton SS19 at London Fashion Week

Titled 'Show Girl' Malan Breton's SS19 collection is inspired by the Ziegfeld Follies

 and tales of his grandmother’s days as a showgirl and opera singer,

 Malan Breton’s new work highlights the glamour of traditional showbiz.

 The Ziegfeld Follies was a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway from 1907 to 1931. The chorus girls elegantly paraded up and down stairs, costumed across the inspirational spectrum, from exotic birds of paradise to powerful and imposing battleships.

 Buttery leather sit alongside flashes of neon.

 Textured gown trains sweep into intricate hand-beading and embroidery, bringing the stage to the runway with sharp aesthetic commitment.

Trails of tulle lavishly drape creating a daydream silhouette.

Photography: Simon Armstrong

Malan Breton AW18 at London Fashion Week

Titled 'Omega', this last letter of the Greek alphabet signifies the end of a journey to one’s clarity and self.

The collection has a theatrical flair with inspiration drawn from Edwardian Tarot, the wizard Merlin,
and Chinese astrology

But it also shows a darker side with inspiration from the myth of the four horsemen of the apocalypse- . The four riders symbolizing Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. However these riders are gloriously dressed with floor length military style riding jacket in pale gold brocade.

A red tartan riding habit

And ready for battle, a leather jacket  fashioned in a black knight's suit of armour.

Shard like sleeves rose high above the shoulders like sharp spears

Long flowing silk organza dresses lightened the collection but still had a hint of darkness: eerie silhouette print on a white background with accents of red, ....

whilst the other, a  more peaceful print of the Great Wall of China and it's surrounding landscape was bound securely in a leather corset

With a colour palette of mainly black

the collection did bring a splattering of bright orange and red

This collection was definitely not for the faint hearted ending with dominatrix style leather studded pieces, thigh high stiletto boots and leather opera style gloves

 “This collection, has been a journey of self-realisation, a point of gaining ones hope back in humanity. Rebuilding one's shell, one’s armour, one’s heart. Love lost, valour, and watching gluttony, and greed change humanity for the worst....” – Malan Breton
Photography: Simon Armstrong

Malan Breton SS18 at London Fashion Week

Titled 'Hades in Darkness, Breton draws his inspiration from the Edwardian and Victorian era,

focusing on the magical darkness  and the comic book styled villains that roamed the shadows of this time.

Video of the show's finale:



Breton juxtaposes modern athleisure silhouettes with classic tailoring of yesteryear

and couture contours crafted at Lesage in Paris.

Wire, bone and rubber convey a story of modernism, sex and chaotic beauty - it's Moulin Rouge meets Blade Runner meets Camille.

Silk and tulles are transformed to give the illusion of wings

whereas hand beading and Asian brocades rival these with attributes of the underworld.

Patterns are strong with Asian symbols derived from Malan's Taiwanese roots

and sit alongside butterflies and mythological creatures.

Photographer: Simon Armstrong

Malan Breton AW17 London Fashion Week

Titled 'The Fantome Collection', inspiration came from Charlie Chaplin and his film City Lights.

The collection pays homage to Chaplin's ability to bring hope and joy to people in times of darkness.

Video of the show's finale:


The collection uses demi couture techniques, British heritage tailoring, hand loomed silks, wools and cashmeres. The technique is inspired by West meets East, staying true to Malan Breton's heritage which is French, British, Italian and Taiwanese.

The collection is reminiscent of Chinese watercolours and imperial prints. Rich in fabrics, brocades, cashmere, velvets and angora.

Colour palette flows from wood stains sitting with classic green and tonal elements of pewter.

Silhouettes like liquid act as second skins to the body,

the suiting details inspired by pagodas in Taiwan, an ode to the future, in an Orwellian fantasy.

Photographer: Simon Armstrong