MAX MARA Spring/Summer 2015 collection

Micro floral prints and geometric prints are transformed from cute and pretty in to sleek and modern. Blocked in opposite combinations with tennis inspired contrast bindings, they feature in figure hugging pleated georgette dresses and t-shirts, calfskin coats, tough cotton gabardine and voluminous ankle length matalasse skirts.

The new material of the season: Alcantara treated like suede for glam military jackets, summer trench coats, blousons and smock effect pleated skirts.

MaxMara’s staple double face material is refashioned into fluid duster coats.

Two skirt lengths: above the knee and mid calf.

For Evening: feminine georgette is cut into military blousons and trench coats. Satin bound tuxedos. Alcantara wrap dresses with D ring belts.

Sandals and printed boots are the season’s newest accessory with lacquered white heels. Hat of the season - the cloche

KTZ Spring/Summer 2015

Designer Marjan Pejoski celebrates the craft and supreme artistry of Josiah Wedgewood and Robert Adams throughout the collection.

Cameos no longer represent silhouettes of silent women, they’ve now be reclaimed by Pejoski as a symbol of the pioneering super women.

These super women grow stronger in black leather  mock croc outfits inspired by ancient armour.

But are not afraid to show their vulnerability as mesh jackets and dresses symbolically reveal their hearts underneath.

The black and monochrome palette is replaced with the purity of pristine white.....

... whilst at the victorious finale, dresses and coats were embellished with gold and the slogan 'The World To Come' shows hope and belief in a bright and better future. . 

Photography by Christopher Dadey

Omar Mansoor Spring/Summer 2015 - London Fashion Week

In collaboration with Fashion International and for his 9th season at London Fashion Week, couturier Omar Mansoor chose the majestic 5 star Royal Horseguards hotel as the opulent backdrop to complement and display his SS15 collection of gowns, 

Choosing the exotic dancer and courtesan Mata Hari as his muse, Omar's collection is striking and show stopping in a bold colour palette of red, turquoise and light gold.

The turquoise depicts Mata Hari's early struggling part of life. Turquoise controls and heals the emotions creating calm and stability, but along the way it can be a roller coaster ride until it balances itself.  The turquoise gowns show a more youthful and simplistic style emulating Mata's unrestrained optimism and determination overcome any disappointments. 

Light gold, the colour of luxury, triumph and success, represents her dazzling career in Paris where she became an overnight sensation and captivated her audiences with her provocative style and dance. Necklines are plunging with fitted bodices in vintage lace whilst the long silk skirts dance and softly billow as the models walk down the catwalk. 

  

And lastly red, the colour of energy and sexual passion but also of  danger and anger, communicates the end of her life's story.  The styles are more varied from the structured lace gowns to the  asymmetric greek goddess look depicting the complexity of her later life, juxtaposing her glamorous carefree life under the limelight  with the serious trial and execution for being a German Spy during WW1. 

Omar's stand out pieces were the first red gown to hit the catwalk which really emulated Mata Hari's exotic style...

.... And the finale turquoise gown decorated with hand appliqué known as Rilli, a traditional patchwork art from Sindh, Pakistan.  For the applique, Omar’s designs were  produced by Inaaya who commissioned the work to the local artisans of rural Sindh.

Jewellery by Amishi London

Photography by Shahid Malik

Ralph Lauren’s Polo presents holographic 4D fashion event towering above The Lake at New York's Central Park

Ralph Lauren’s new Polo line for women presented its Spring ’15 collection during New York Fashion Week in a revolutionary runway event: a water-screen projection that towered above Manhattan’s Central Park, fusing fashion, art and technology.

The event was attended by hundreds of spectators including celebrities, runway faces and fashion editors including Kendall Jenner, Anna Wintour, Karlie Kloss and Ciara.

The holographic 4D fashion event also celebrated the grand opening of the Polo Flagship Store on Fifth Avenue, the brand’s first flagship spanning nearly 38,000 square feet over three floors.

Showcasing the complete new world of Polo for women alongside the Polo men’s collection, the new store also introduces Ralph Lauren’s first ever coffee shop, Ralph’s Coffee.

PPQ Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection

PPQ’s  A/W 2014 girl is pale and pastel swathed in a multitude of textures.

The collection features liquid patents and sheer chiffons, lace and light leather......

..... setting a sleek 1950’s style for huge mohair coats and monochrome Melton wool wraps to accent.

She reveals a delicate silhouette of translucent lace with details across neck lines and midnight rose prints tell tales of an English Love story.

But she also has a dark side 

www.ppqlondon.com

Ong-Oaj Pairam Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection at London Fashion Week

For AW14, Ong continues his love of the polished 1950’s style, but this time he adds danger in to this carefully groomed look taking inspiration from his two favourite Disney anti-heroine’s:  Little Mermaid’s Ursula and 101 Dalmatians’ Cruella Deville.

In true Ursula style, bustier dresses graced the catwalk.  Full skirts flare as though Ursula is flexing her octopus tentacles muscles, whilst others skim her body.

Adorned by what appears to be scattered appliqué flowers but on closer inspection show they are Ursula’s octopus suckers meticulously hand stitched to achieve the suction cup dimension.

The more uptight Cruella makes an appearance with fluid tea length dresses, long sleeves and high necklines showing this villainess is prim if not proper.  However she does have a trick up her sleeve, or rather her sexy keyhole back.

Danger lurked amongst Ong’s prints which were inspired by the darker works of American modernist artist Charley Harper and the exploration of toxic animals and plants. In monochrome black and grey, simple images of crocodiles and leopards camouflage themselves amongst the chevron and stripe bands.

The striped lion fish created an attractive pattern as they spread out their needle like venomous dorsal fins, whilst on the sleeve the poison dart frog  joined together  to emulate the dogtooth pattern.  Adding a touch of purity to all the danger are the white lotus flower appliqués scattered randomly on the bottom of the long skirt.

Unassuming lily pads are transformed into the more imposing crocodile skin print.

Colour accents of toxic brights include acid yellows, sulphate blues and algae green.

Shoes and belts (both designed by Ong) compliment the outfits with their bright metallic snakeskin print leather.

For evening wear Ong chooses fluid silks. His deep sea blue gown billowed down the catwalk like rippling water.

The silks provided the perfect moving canvas for Ong’s evening scenery prints.  Waterfalls gush freely whilst the poison dart frogs hide amongst the rocks.

But all is not dangerous as amongst the leopard prints, poison dart frogs, stinging nettles and poison ivy is the pure white lotus flower.

Ong’s full collection can be seen on www.ong-oajpairam.com

For information on purchasing one of Ong’s made to measure creation email info@ong-oajpairam.com