By The Somerset House BFC tent, the Topshop Show Space and every hotel in London was at capacity, brimming with fashion editors, bloggers and celebrities. We saw classic British heritage designers, contemporary NEWGEN newbies and everything in-between. The trends were fresh, the ideas were original and the fourth day of London Fashion Week quickly became our favourite day of the week.
Fred Butler SS13
Fred Butler started the day in a less than ordinary manner. Casting aside the usual preconceptions of a salon presentation, Butler fused the worlds of music, film and fashion thanks to the Red Bull Catwalk Studio. Having collaborated with music group Two Inch Punch, Butler took inspiration from their bee-like music and created a hexagonal tessellated look that reflected the structure of a beehive. The honey gold colours and oversized daisy blossoms only added to the whimsical feel of the collection, and the models wild nails, hair and makeup created a real stir among the LFW crowd.
[Related article: LFW Highlights from day three]
David Koma SS13David Koma took to the runway next, showing us how to do the sporty look with real aplomb. Clean white mini dresses and blue tinged mesh jackets brought the over-worked sport-luxe trend to a new level. The addition of emerald green added a new colour trend to London Fashion Week, one that was very well received judging from the rapturous applause erupting from the crowd when the designer took his bow.
Christopher Kane SS13Later in the day we were privy to the Christopher Kane SS13 show. Kane has always been a designer who focussed on femininity without compromising the cool-factor, and this season was no different. An off white, greyish shade was a stroke of genius, and an incredibly refreshing way to do neutrals in a sea of peach and beige. Appliqué flowers and shining strips provided texture to the otherwise sheer and simple collection, and the fresh beauty looks left us longing for the spring.
Louise Gray is quickly overtaking Vivienne Westwood's title as the queen of rebellion at London Fashion Week. After last season's Mohawk extravaganzas, we didn't dare guess what the designer would come up with next. Never in a million years would we have guessed cut-out mirror head-pieces would appear in the first look. Graphic prints and swinging sixties hair dos only added to the kitsch drama of the show, and the shimmering fabrics gave us just enough light for the summer season. This was a show with some punch.
[Related gallery: Street style at London Fashion Week]
Burberry Prorsum SS13The ultimate heritage brand, Burberry Prorsum, took to the runway later in the day, and the ripples of excitement could be felt throughout the entire of London. Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn and Edie Campbell worked Christopher Bailey's looks as they were sent down the catwalk, all belted and kitted out in trench coats, pencil skirts and short shorts. Beige, gold, white and soft forest green all worked together in such harmony that the spectacle of the final walk was quite breathtaking. Long sided peep toe mules were seen on the models' feet and are sure to be the shape of the season when the summer hits.
Mark Fast SS13Mark Fast turned out to be the excitement of the day for yet another season. It wasn't just the celebrities on the front row that astonished us (Kelly Brook, Pixie Lott and Portia Freeman just to name a few), but also the celebrity leading the models. Rare beauty Daisy Lowe took the pole position in the model race, showing off her curves in Mark's knitted flapper dresses. The vibe was hip hop with a twist. Ghetto gold hoops and chains were worked on top of kitsch pastel shades in urban street shapes.
The wigs were bold afro-cuts and the makeup could have been just a touch too much, but paired with the feel of the collection, it was just too fabulous. Even the soundtrack had the crowds in raptures. Salt n Peppa's 'Push It' sounded from the stereo, providing a beat for the models to really get into the attitude as they walked down the runway. This was a show to remember.
With today comes the unfortunate end to London Fashion Week. Although we couldn't bear to part with another season of spectacular creativity, we are still looking fully forward to the day’s events. Mulberry, Simone Rocha and Ashish will be more than enough to feed our fashion habit for one more day...
