Fashion Week Wraps Up in Style

Last time we saw Matthew Williamson was in the late ’90s when he’d just given birth to Boho and then fled to the States, leaving us behind to deal with the maxi dress and peacock print debris he left in his wake.

Now, in 2009, drinking martinis in a sun-soaked loft space with the likes of Twiggy, Erin O’Connor and a fashion pack who definitely looked like they’d dressed for a Williamson occasion, it felt like we had all been transported back in time.

But as Williamson’s S/S 2010 show got underway, things appeared to have toughened up a bit with cropped leather jackets, black beaded shorts and emphasised, cocoon like shoulders.

In fact, his signature Ibiza style beach and clubbing wear was distinctly lacking, which was no bad thing really. Of course, there were a couple trademark floaty frocks – in the form of strapless bandage like numbers – but they were elegant and more grown up. And without them, it wouldn’t really be Williamson would it?

In contrast to Williamson’s elegant affair, was the Vivienne Westwood show (or should that be debacle?) Impressively, the Grande Dame of fashion always manages to pack out her shows, (Vogue editors were crammed onto steps and others were ejected from their seats) despite bringing out largely the same stuff each season.

Of course, the phrase ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is there for a reason and Westwood has tried and tested fail safes that have won her the loyal clientele that has kept her busy for 50 years.

What people really go to the Westwood Red Label show for are the celebrities and to see what prank the designer will pull this season. Lo and behold, the press and fash pack were not to be disappointed as a former Big Brother contestant strutted their stuff, a model openly flaunted the smoking ban and Pixie Geldof – modelling for the designer – held two fingers up to her sister in the front row.

What Westwood’s shows remind us is that fashion is entertaining, it is spectacle and it is fun. In short, Westwood’s rebellious streak is alive and well, and long may it remain so.

Back from Milan, Burberry Prorsum rounded off London Fashion Week last night with a star-studded glamour fest of a show. Celebrities poured into the specially built venue, situated in the courtyard of the Chelsea School of Art, including Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma Watson, Anna Wintour and…well, the list is endless.

The collection, centred around the indefatigable trench coat, focused more on fabrics – distressed, tulle and chiffon – that appeared ruched, knotted and draped to create an altogether very pretty show.

Although it is indeed a great thing that a brand as successful and wealthy as Burberry are showing in London, it is important that younger, more forward thinking names such as Louise Goldin, Marios Schwab and Danielle Scutt, get the recognition they deserve too. They are, after all, our fashion future.