LONDON FASHION WEEK AW13: DO THE "CO-ORD"

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

Here's a FEAL version of what I wrote for today LFW paper, The Daily...

Matchy matchy has already been made modern. Recall way back when in Resort 2012, Phoebe Philo did shirts, jackets and joggers all styled together in the same floral print. Since then, the "co-ord", as matching outfits have been christened, has become a key component in the most wearable collections. It's an easy look, the bricks of which can quickly be taken apart to form a whole new outfit. A case in point was Zoe Jordan's Prince of Wales ensemble, or the striped set which Eudon Choi embellished with Swarovski crystals. While they look perfect together for full-on, mega matched impact, the best bit is that you could wear that check tee with a leather pencil skirt or play down the stripe trousers with a plain jumper. You might decry that surely that is what a dress is for. A total, easy-to-put-together look.  Well, yes but separates are far more modern looking and I would bet that a co-ord induces boredom at a far slower rate precisely because you can change it around.  From a designer's perspective, the co-ord is a commercial winner too because it persuades us to buy into two pieces to achieve one look (or if you're into Christopher Raeburn, you'll need the bag and boots too)

At Antipodium, there was the choice of a tweed bomber and wide leg look in either mustard or lilac checks. Creative Director Geoffrey Finch told me, "we were fed up of so much bitsiness, it's nice to have a whole look". Vogue's Emma Elwick-Bates summed up LFW's take on the co-ord, "I feel like it's really relevant in heritage fabrics now, like a modern Katharine Hepburn". We'll match to that.

 A TUMBLE OF LFW CO-ORDS

Lace at Christopher Raeburn

Striped and embellished at Eudon Choi

Checks at Zoe Jordan 

Cocktail print at House of Holland

Simply grey and sporty at Thomas Tait

Graphic print at Holly Fulton

Black and white chains at Whistles

LFW TREND SPOT #2: TWEED

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

The general consensus flying around Somerset House is that next season is all about English heritage style, and if there is one fabric that captures the essence of English-ness, it's good old-fashioned tweed.

Yes, tweed. The fabric of grandad caps, riding jackets and skirts worn by geography teachers everywhere has been embraced by London designers across the board, and been made to look fresh, exciting and desirable. Blame the Royal wedding, blame the Olympics, even blame the Kings Speech, if you like, because for a while now, there has been a feeling that now is the right time to celebrate our culture and style heritage. Tweed is the perfect fabric to showcase this feeling, and just as silk has overtaken jersey as the reigning summer fabric, tweed has replaced leather as the outerwear fabric of choice for Autumn/Winter 11. These tweedy collections show just how brilliant the Englishwoman can look, if she puts her mind to it. 

Jaeger London

 

AW11 for Jaeger was strong, powerful and elegant. Large lapels on knee skimming jackets with military pockets, and high waisted, wide leg trousers gave traditional tweed a contemporary feeling, whilst referencing its' classic style.

House of Holland

Trust Henry to take something traditional and give it a cheeky twist. The tweed skirt suit was updated with a flippy mini length and black velvet lapels, while the hot pink colour swiftly vamoosed any granny-chic connotations. The classic sweater and slacks combo was also created in a yellowy orange tweed, lending the entire collection a very tongue-in-cheek feeling of retro, ladylike dressing with added naughtiness.

Margaret Howell

 Margaret Howell's extremely elegant collection made me want to throw out my garish wardrobe and start again with a neutral palette, refined, classic pieces and some incredible, belted, tweed outerwear. So simple, yet so completely beautiful.

JW Anderson

 

Both myself and the Fash Ed are MASSIVE JW Anderson  fans, and were so excited to see his debut collection just for gals. His womenswear contained all the elements that make us go crazy for his menswear, and in the AW11 presentation he mixed traditional tweed for outerwear with Liberty silks, for a double dose of English heritage.

Mulberry

Mulberry's brilliant English countryside-inspired collection is the perfect vehicle for the tweed trend. Again, updated with a modern colour palette of deep pinks and forest greens, their tweed jackets are the perfect item to get the urban fox running around in some fields, while still looking stylish.

 Holly Fulton got playful with tweed, oversizing it and using yellow and black threads to make the fabric come alive!

And last but not least, we have just returned from the typically awe-inspiring Erdem show, where, shock horror, a little bit of tweed crept in amongst his trademark prints. Pictures to follow later!

Basically, if you are wearing anything this Autumn, better make it tweed. London has spoken.

All images: Chris Moore Catwalking (except for Holly Fulton, from Style.com)