Tommy Hilifiger
The show, Tommy Now, was a striking mash up of high school prep meets punk rebellion. Featuring a seriously impressive all-star cast, opened by all three Hadid siblings: Gigi, Bella and Anwar. Other big names included Joan Smalls, Jourdan Dunn, Hailey Baldwin, Luna Bijl and Georgia May Jagger.
Deliberately set at the iconic London Roundhouse to give the feel of a rock concert, the show certainly lived up to intentions. Tommy and Gigi's collection was full of dark plaid patterns, blacks and reds. Fluffy, oversized preppy knits and hoodies were toughened up with metal detailing and padlock necklaces. While floaty, shimmering slip dresses were paired with black mesh and over the knee socks. Denim was either distressed or replaced completely with leather and shoes were black, heavy and embellished. The collection is available to buy now; perfect for an edgy, back to school vibe.
Rejina Pyo
Making the leap from presentation to catwalk this season, Rejina chose Friends House, the London Quaker building, to showcase her SS18 collection. Models criss-crossed giant silver shapes on the floor of the sunlit auditorium, but there was no need for any other bells and whistles as the clothes spoke (softly) for themselves. Oversized pant suits with giant gold buttons, a duck egg blue wool coat that you’d go hungry for and then came the peasant tops and metallic sheath dresses worn with understated flats. Her casting was refreshing: real-looking woman, some much older than the average LFW models. They all exuded a quiet confidence with their low slung ponytails and ballet buns and wore the clothes (not the other way round). They glided beautifully to the Cranberries song “Dreams”, and this collection was the surely the stuff of ours.
A.W.A.K.E
Designer Natalia Alaverdian made her LFW catwalk debut with a confident collection featuring many mixed references. Yemeni high rise straw hats, asymmetry and surrealism in the form of mannequin hand belts, to name a few. But the highlight was her left-of -centre tailoring. Already a master of deconstruction and reconstruction, some pieces looked like they’d been taken apart and reassembled; the grey skirt suit showcased her deft pattern cutting skills superbly. Shoes were mock croc with block heels and we loved the retro wooden handle fabric shoppers with peach prints.
Natasha Zinko
Originally from the Ukraine, Natasha reflected on her roots by reinterpreting the traditional and distinctive motifs of her homeland for SS18. A beautiful mix of Ukrainian folklore and British subculture, Natasha showed camo layered under scarf-print dresses in an eclectic clash of delicate femininity and a harder, utilitarian edge - the ultimate fashion juxtaposition. With a catwalk lined with thatched-roof houses, the Zinko show was certainly one of the stand outs of today's busy and final show schedule. Highlights included deconstructed denim and tracksuits stamped with the slogan 'Back to the Future' in Natasha's native Ukrainian, alongside fluffy slippers and slouchy boots to complete look. We predict her camo caps to be a bestseller next season.
Tata Naka
Set amongst the Elizabethan and Tudor portraits on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery, models changed their outfits backstage and gracefully switched places as guests congregated to watch and enjoy champagne ice-lollies. The room was packed with photographers as Tata Naka's presentation also became the backdrop for their lookbook shoot. Inspired by 40s and 50s femininity, the collection was divided into three main stories - collages of vintage florals, multi-coloured stripes and simple separates in lightweight silks and natural cottons.
