The last show of the very first day at London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter ‘09 was also the most anticipated. The venue was Vauxhall Fashion Scout, the main building of LFW off schedule for last six seasons. Why was this off schedule show was almost more important than ON schedule? The title of the show explained it simply. “The Ones to Watch”.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is dedicated to supporting and showcasing the best emerging fashion designers for this group show. It must be a great first big step in front of an international audience for these young creative designers.

Isle of Wight born designer Lu Flux opened the show. Both men’s and ladies collections are poppy and colourful. As if they just escaped from a fairytale, there are pointy hats, a bear face on the front of a jump suit made the look like part of a fantasy magical world. Using English traditional techniques and fabrics, children’s wear design gets an elegant kick.

Following on was “Migh-T by KUMIKO WATARI”. Graduates of Central Saint Martins College. Baggy T-shirts with animals and balloon prints on plus leggings, is her signature style. As majoring textile design, her vivid and detailed printed leggings could be the next ‘it’ style. Red , orange, and purple were the key colours.

Starting with dynamic rock music, Studio 805 Collections use the strong impact of Red and white tartan. Leeds born Andrew Bannister designed over size Silhouette sports wear with a hint of fast food shop staff. Either you like them or you don’t, it must be the most talked about collection. I just wonder what the stripy tape on each model’s mouth was for.

The last was knit wear designer Alice Palmer. Using basic colours like white, black, brown, shoulder and pointy hip parts, looks like Cat woman. The knit hat also has cat ears worth checking out.

London Fashion Week A/W ‘09
Date: 20th – 25th February 2009
Place: London
https://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Text and photos: Sayaka Hirakawa