Off-duty models backstage:
Lucy, Storm Models
Roos Van Montfort & Tiffany, Models One
Lucy, Storm Models
On Friday afternoon, the British Fashion Council and Future Vintage staged a catwalk show "showcasing seven of their best designers".
Opening the show was Thomas Tait, who in February 2010 was one of the youngest ever students to graduate from Central Saint Martins with an MA in Womenswear. On the catwalk there were dynamic clean cut lines, a lot of navy and plenty of beautifully wearable winter pieces alongside dramatically sculptured minimalism, contrasted on one occasion by a perfectly cut crisp white shirt. www.thomastait.com
Next up was Holly Fulton, one of the better known designers, who we interviewed afterwards to get a peek into what her inspiration for the show was. The collection was full of obscure references such as lip prints and pearls sewn on to silk pieces, as well as her trademark art deco inspired architectural prints. Fulton won the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award for Accessories at the British Fashion Awards in 2009. Read our interview with her HERE. www.hollyfulton.com
Tim Soar featured a stunningly androgynous collection that, while masculine, was undeniably sexy at the same time due to flawless slim cuts that fit and flatter the body. The designer launched his menswear line in 2005 and followed with the women's line for A/W 2011. www.soar-london.com
Christopher Raeburn stormed onto the catwalk with his eclectic range of coats with patchwork tonal grey wool and anoraks with a stylish modern twist. To allow the key pieces and outerwear to stand out, much of the collection was presented with black heels and leggings which allowed the focus to remain on the fun yet functional designs and proving that eco friendly clothing doesn't have to be boring. www.christopherraeburn.co.uk
Another Central Saint Martins graduate, Michael van der Ham sent out visions in velvet; ranging from burnished oranges to soft blush pinks, dresses featuring clever draping and pleating were rolled out alongside loose tailored crepe trousers paired with velvet tops. A dramatically different take on winter colour, proving he's worthy of his impressive back story working with Sophia Kokosolaki and Alexander McQueen. www.michaelvanderham.com
J. JS Lee's show was like taking a peek inside the ultimate work-and-play sophisticated woman's wardrobe. Everything from sheer houndstooth chiffon skirts to boxy cream jackets reminiscent of Chanel classics featured, yet the collection had a youthful, free-flowing feel. There was pleating, there was graphic print, there was a "mullet" dress (short at the front, with a floor length chiffon skirt at the back) and there were flashes of soft coral silks. It's easy to see why Lee, fresh out of Central Saint Martins, was picked by Harrods to receive an award which included her collection being displayed in the windows of the Knightbridge store. www.jsleelondon.com
Craig Lawrence was the most "out-there" collection featured in the show - outrageous knitwear confections made from metallic thread amongst a whole plethora of unconventional materials hinting at his time spent working with Gareth Pugh. Appropriately, Tilda Swinton wore one of Lawrence's designs on the cover of the S/S 2009 issue of Another Magazine next to the heading "Future fashion" and "Tilda Swinton presents fashion's most inventive young designers". www.craiglawrence.co.uk
Visit www.vintagebyhemingway.co.uk for more details.
