I Love London: LFW Chapter Two

Acid-washed denim, black lace, and lots and lots of leather – this is what 2009 is going to look like for me, thanks to my new favourite fashion duo, Meadham and Kirchhoff. I am currently both refusing to take off my black leather cigarette pants (out of choice, thank you very much, talc is a beleathered girl’s best friend), and worrying what I will do once summer comes around again. MK have the answer and it comes in the form of a pair of their suitably sheeny (but deliciously breathable) black trews. Similarly, leather jacket fanatics needn’t despair – simply swap your leathers for MK’s sheer black tunics – it’ll keep you cool but thanks to the heavy-duty zips, you won’t have to compromise your rock n’ roll credentials. I’m ecstatic at the return of the nineties, and Meadham Kirchhoff’s shredded acid-wash skinnies may have something to do with it. And whilst I might not be donning the designers’ deconstructed shirt sleeves, exposed stitching and lace shirt panels, you’ve gotta commend these boys on their attention to detail (and anyone who can wear that very expensive denim jacket whilst putting up with onlookers asking, ‘Couldn’t you afford elbow patches?’ 

Having bought into both the fabulous Clueless movie AND the cringeworthy spin-off TV series (a mark of a true fan), you can only imagine my delight at the return of nineties prep to the catwalk. No one did it better than Sinha-Stanic. Crisp white shirts were tied at the front to expose midriff, and short-sleeved blazers in candy colours were paired with tonic cigarette pants. This time around, gone were the clumpy Spice Girls platforms, and in their place stomped bold, pastel-hued gladiator platforms. Despite the disappointingly tame (and probably saleable) black LBDs flecked with green and red, the show was a sight for sore eyes, and in the words of Cher, ‘way existential’.

It seemed that Viv W was on safari at LFW. Alongside the old-faithful, and ever-fabulous, sculptural dresses and corsets, stood somewhat uncomfortably ‘colonial’ style pieces, such as a slouchy, striped trouser suit, and the safari staple, the shirt dress. The show, with its ‘Brits on safari’ vibe, was reminiscent of Hermes S/S ’08 collection, but this time (much to my relief), it was less glamorised, and rather, subtly ridiculed. The oversized helmut hat that accompanied a beige Jackie O skirt suit was too big to be taken seriously, and the real standout pieces of the show were the tribal-style (for want of a better term) beaded necklaces and belts, tasselled knee-high socks, corn-print dress, and the pirate boots from last year that had been resurrected in a patterned fabric and tan leather. Metallics added a luxe edge to muted colours (a molten gold trench sent my heart pitter pattering), and I applauded the somewhat topical juxtaposition of urban wear (giant hoop earring and hoods) with tribal-inspired styling (notably the top-knotted hair). Genius. Well, what did you expect?