Zoë Jordan Opens Fashion Week

It’s not easy opening London Fashion Week. Fortunately Zoë Jordan took it in her stride this morning – with some particularly amazing shoes!

Despite crediting ‘travel, interiors, music, art, the street, the bus’ as her inspirations, her fifth collection, the aptly named ‘Foundations’ drew heavily on her former architecture studies.

Kicking off Autumn/Winter 2013 in true – Italian – style, Jordan transported Frowers from the cobbles of Somerset House to the interior of Rome’s Duomo, paying homage to baroque cathedrals, and romantic and contemporary masterpieces in an array of stunning photographic prints.

Showing off her impressive pedigree and that she had paid attention in class, post-modernist masters Robert Venturi, James Stirling, Frank Gehry and modernists Mies van der Rohe and Renzo Piano were all referenced in the style notes, and on the catwalk in the form of strong silhouettes and striking monochrome separates.

Savile Row also got in on the act, with some inspired sharp tailoring, structured shoulders and contrast panels, to create yet another entirely wearable collection by Jordan.

With ‘boyish elegance’ at its heart, Jordan embraced the ‘androgynous, feminine, sophisticated and effortless’ in a heady mix of soft nappa leathers, cashmere knits and metallic jacquards. Creating the ultimate work wardrobe, silk tees were teamed with tailored trousers, iridescent two-piece suits and throw-on heavy woollen knits for a cool, effortless aesthetic.

Linings, panelling and the striking block heels of Jordan’s footwear line also added to the fun factor with punchy bursts of amber and pink to brighten up this otherwise monochrome collection.

Expect to see it on a front row near you almost immediately.

Look out for our coverage of London Fashion Week from 15 to 19 February.

Photo by Norbert Severin