Onlookers huddled around a wooden
structure in our Freemason's Hall, Phoebe English's AW13 collection
was an intimate one. An investigation into sightlessness seemed a
fitting description for the pieces as eyeless models walked minimal
pieces cut to precision around the wood frame.
Structured, layered and uniquely
textured clothing contrasted with hard shapes that flirted with
fragility, giving an essence of 'feeling' rather than 'seeing' that
the designer wanted to achieve. Using a nude, navy and black colour
palette, fringing, layering and an exploration of silhouettes all
featured. Being a former Fashion Scout One to Watch and Merit Award winner, English's work has never been short of impressive and her
attention to finish and textiles she has become known for was as
clear here as ever before.
A contemporary and innovative display
of garments, emphasised by the distorted growls and beeps of the
disturbing soundtrack composed especially for the show made for a
beautifully dark collection.
By Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)
Images Max Barnett (@MaxBarnettPhoto)