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Runway: Alternative Fashion Week UK, Fall/Winter 08
Alternative Fashion Week kicked off full throttle with about a thousand gathered in the audience to witness an eclectic celebration of contemporary fashion. First out was Kate Edwards with an outer-space inspired womenswear collection of figure-hugging dresses in metallic shades. Sabine Fouchier’s lounge-wear and tea dresses came perfectly complemented with the designer’s exquisitely detailed head-dresses. A thumping urban collection that attempts to recreate the energy of a gig by Victoria aka Tory Harley really impressed the fuk.co.uk crew, including fashion stylist Richard Shoyemi. Great outfits here include a 1920s style dress made from multi-coloured paperclips and a shift dress made from slides. These fused with digital printed leggings, dresses and pantaloon trousers all hit the fashion zeitgeist on the head.
Pretty Pervy
The extravagant and the extraordinary are always welcome at Alternative Fashion Week and they came in tank loads today courtesy of Robert Miller of Pretty Pervy. Based in Barnet, Robert’s speciality is creating fantastical garments from latex rubber from natural sources. ‘Does my bum look big in this?’ takes on a new dimension – Robert has literally pumped volumes of air into the arse end of skirts and dresses to cartoon effect. A black floor-sweeping gown comes with an in-built latex gas mask (very Dr Who and a bit scary).
Big Richard
Kaori Matsubara
Underwear from Down Under: that’s what Lloyd Perry’s Big Richard collection of men’s briefs delivers and it gave us a proper eyeful of lots of lean lads in branded underpants. Kaori Matsubara sent out ‘Latex Dreams’, a well-styled range (impressive beehive twisted, plaited hair) of gently crafted latex dresses with concertina pleats and gentle details. A mini dress with a love heart neckline and red tear drops stood out as well as a dramatic ball and chain affair and a stunning latex kimono.
Rachel Hines graduated in 2007 and has developed her streetwear collection since. It has a unisex feel and features animal prints, nylon jackets, washed knee-length denims accompanied by animal print neckerchiefs, coloured Wayfarer shades and perspex animal pendants. Rachel is well-focused and has a wide selection of her wares including cushions and T-shirts on sale at the Fashion Market which is open throughout Alternative Fashion Week.
Stephanie Tsang
Chelsea College of Art
Keerthi Ravi delivered a vibrant collection entitled ‘Fashion Curry’ with paisley prints and tailored tailcoats and shorts. Isabella Pepper’s ‘Comradeship and Interaction’ collection includes an origami-like black coat dress, and asymmetric pleats on garments punctuated by angled hemlines. Stephanie Tsang’s collection is inspired by Transformers – which she translates into futuristic creations including tunnel-style trousers and sleeves. Finally, Chelsea College of Art’s Design and Textile Department completed the catwalk line up with ‘Revolution Collection’ flooding the catwalk with a sea of inspired student creations.
(Courtesy Fuk.Co.Uk)
Written by Marian Buckley
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