Harvey Nichols S/S’12 Fashion Show

Offering all the fun of the seaside, the Harvey Nichols show brought the Great British summer to London early this year. Transforming its Fifth Floor Restaurant with beach huts, ice creams and an illuminated pier catwalk, this was Spring/Summer 2012 in all its fashionable glory.

From the Mulberry rock in the quirky goody bag buckets – the spades were swapped for champers, naturally – to the quintessentially British summer canapés, you would have been forgiven for forgetting the real focus of the show. Yes, besides the mini fish and chips, ice creams, Club Tropicana cocktails and ever-flowing Harvey Nichols Brut NV Champagne, we were here for the fashion – well, maybe a bit of the bubbly too!

And, after being styled by Vogue‘s Francesca Burns and accompanied by a soundtrack of Cliff Richard, Snoop Dogg, Madonna and more, it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Keeping it fun and flirty, the ladies were treated to an array of beautiful floral and stripe prints and neon accents. Highlights included Equipment silk shirts, Mary Katrantzou’s signature dresses and Rodarte’s Van Gogh-inspired sunflower drop waist dress. Gladiator wedges and strappy flat sandals, as well as straw beach bags, helped to complete the daytime looks, while ’50s-style spotty and high-waisted bikinis from Mara Hoffman and JETS provided the perfect waterside wardrobe.

While the girls continued the pastel palette on and off the runway – with guests Margo Stilley and Sunday Girl rocking power-blue and mint green options too – it proved to be all white on the night for the boys, with an array of linen shirts and tiny trunks on show. Preppy chino shorts and shirts from Polo Ralph Lauren also helped to create this casual summer style. Continuing the seaside theme, some shirts were replaced by sailor hats – much to the enjoyment of the crowd. Hello sailor!

Helping the ladies to take their look from the beach to the bar were also a selection of tailored suits and trousers in bold hues, plus print trousers and coveted paisley dresses from the likes of Stella McCartney, Jil Sander and JW Anderson. Viktor & Rolf embellished dinner shirts, Dolce & Gabbana bow ties and Louboutin python shoes helped to transform the gents for a stylish summer evening.

With a blast of Here Comes the Summer this was the perfect start to April and the onslaught of florals that awaits… if someone could just tell the weather man!

Harvey Nichols
109-125 Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
SW1X 7RJ

Tel: 020 7235 5000