#mimiwade

@MadisonBeer for @NylonFrance, April 2021.

Photographed by: @zhamakthecat

Styled by: @krisfe_ // assisted by: @nikkixcortez

ミミ ウェイド (Mimi Wade)

LFW 2017AW

デザイナー ミミ・ウェイド

Mimi Wade

ミミ ウェイド (MIMI WADE)

LFW 2018AW

デザイナー ミミ・ウェイド

As London Fashion week is in full swing, we round up some of our favourite shows- from the bright young things in Fashion East to Gareth Pugh’s dystopian future.

fashion east

Fashion East has always been a medium for young talent to flourish; and this year was no exception. Mimi Wade presented her third collection - Dial M for Mimi which was influenced by powerful female protagonists in classic Hollywood films. Her muse is her Granny Pammy, the collection breathed youthful exuberance, with a pastel colour palette and furry creatures making appearances in feathered boas and trims, and finally some totally covetable prints.

Coming out of winning a L’oral Professionnel talent award, British asian designer A Sai Ta has taken his unique overlocking embroidery technique to new heights with his latest offering at Fashion East. A collection that revelled in deconstruction, fantastic knits, colourful embroideries, and d distinctly urban vibe.  Having some highly prestigious stints at Theory and Yeezy, ASAI breathes a contemporary edge while focusing on themes like authenticity, anti-perfectionism and adaptability.

Finally, in the dimly lit Topshop show space where a derelict cityscape was being built, Fashion East ends not with a whimper, but with a bang — with Matty Bovan’s AW17 show. Winnie Harlow opens the show, with a stunning array of unconventional knitted pieces, either crocheted by hand or produced by a vintage knitting machine. The clash of both colour and texture works perfectly, also in part to the wonderful styling by Katie Grand. Found object accessories, and the use of end-of-run yarns gives an authenticity to the collection — while also evoking an environmental sentimentality.

Gareth Pugh

Last show of day two and Gareth Pugh presents his delightfully dark take on today’s bleak socio-political landscape. In the beginning of creating his AW17 collection, Gareth took creative projects that brought him all over the world — from Moscow, Beijing, and eventually Washington DC (in time for the culmination of the latest election) His dark and dystopic collection is informed by the dark and dystopic landscape we have today— a sign of the times, especially when the most powerful man in the world is a blatant demagogue.

While fashion will always be statement-making, it is never more relevant for our industry to be visible today. Gareth Pugh presents a procession of architectural silhouettes, Orwellian pairings  stark and paired back fabrics — a juxtaposition of chaos and order. Ominous leather trench coats, sculptural power suits, indulgent fur coats — all carefully crafted to build a sense of dread. A culmination of the designer’s fears and fantasies, rendered in disturbingly beautiful clothes.

In classic Gareth Pugh fashion, he draws on cinematic references such as Bob Fosse’s Cabaret. Of his inspiration, Gareth Pugh has said  “It’s about fight or flight. The cultural pendulum has swung to the right. The veil has been lifted. As a designer, how do you deal with that? Its like that moment in Cabaret – “In here life is beautiful!” — as outside the world burns. Do you look it in the eye, or do you look away? That’s the critical question. It defines who you are.”

House of Holland

Fringed dresses, flared trousers, cowboy boots, and tartan were all part of Henry Holland’s Wild West, inspired AW17 collection.

Entitled ‘Daddy where’s my car?’ this season Holland moved away from the usual London cool-girl aesthetic his designs hold, and instead designed the collection for a girl with a “hip hop attitude and a country heart” in mind. Denim had a big part to play, as did typical American stripes and stars.

One thing that remained consistent, were the presence of branded t-shirts, and bold graphic prints. Something that has become instantly recognizable of a House of Holland collection and iconic to the brand. This season, Woody the Woodpecker inspired the ostentatious graphic designs, and was the main focus of a 15 piece mini collection included in the catwalk show. Models stormed the catwalk with thigh high boots, and jackets proudly brandishing his face. Tees and jumpers with brazenly printed with words like ‘Daddy’ and ‘Bitches’.

In summary, Holland has every fashion need covered. Whether you’re hoping to channel some western chic or simply look effortlessly stylish in a classic slogan sweater, Henry Holland is your go-to guy for AW17.

TWENTY6X