Report: Manushri Bahukhandi
London Fashion Week had a gala beginning. The show, with an astonishing 72 official shows and several more off-schedule events, opened last Sunday. Showcasing the works of hundreds of designers from all over the world this is a fashion show with a difference. For the hairdo, in the Michiko Koshino show the Rapunzel-like plaits were in abundance. These plaits were done by Vidal Sassoon International Creative Hair Team. They braided the hair very close to the head and used hairpieces to add contrasting colour and length. Pigtails added texture and interest to what would otherwise be a very sleek look. This gave the hairstyle a very unique appeal. Even the male models, were braided up to add an additional appeal to the fashion show.
Clements Ribeiro`s backstage seemed to really love the show make-up. This time the strong lip colour was fuchsia. Eli Wakamatsu, the make-up artist in charge, found it looked "modern, young and fresh" with both the glittery elements and camel pieces of the collection. And although Eli believes that fuchsia lip colour would suit anyone she is adamant that make-up trends should no longer be about one particular colour. False eyelashes were also used at Clements Ribeiro, but foundation was kept to a minimum. Overall the make-up was pretty and glamorous and had a fresh look to it.
For the self-taught designer Lyall Hakaraia, beastly beauty is the inspiration. His third off-schedule show at London`s Mayfair club, presented flights of fancy including boob-busting corsets, bias-cut dresses and clown-like satin smocks. Boudouir-style slips, satin pyjama pants and wreaths of leaves, that had a carnival and a festive spirit of colours that included forest green, pale yellow, dusky rose and baby pink were also much in evidence.
Spanish designer Amaya Arzuaga offered a full-on colour blitz for spring. The show started with fluorescent pink followed by lime green, mulberry, beige, loud prints, fluorescent yellow, red, black and silver. Amaya who is also best known for her knitwear. For this season she`s created chunky knit skirts and sleeveless tops, but her strongest pieces are in leather with bright red leather trousers, slashed puffball skirts and tight jackets with quartered length sleeves. This Fashion Show had a strong 80’s influence apparent in various blouses (classic lady style), batwing sleeved tops, puffball skirts and stud details. However she also offered for glamour lovers uncompromising lurex catsuits and full-length silver skirts that are so shiny that they almost caused a glare to the viewers eyes.

For the Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchovitch`s, his first collection for the new millennium mixes ultra modern deconstructed pieces with flowing feminine outfits. White dominated the colour palette and both male and female models who adorned blond Japanese wigs and pale faces, giving the collection and gave the show an eerie sci-fi appeal. For men, the designer offers a fresh approach to the preppy look with pink check trousers worn with criss-cross tank tops.

With leather becoming such an important trend, that it is not a surprise fact that the designer like Tristan Webber used leather that were who is sponsored by Pittands Leather (along with TopShop and Swarovski Jewellery). Among the leather pieces there were an electric blue jumpsuit and bright red asymmetric zip jackets which had cutting techniques on the shoulders and neck. Titled as `Jeux Musculaine`, Webber took his inspiration from ballet exercises, highlighting the body`s changing movement in tension and pressure. For daywear nylon airtex and lycra film on denim or leather against glossed fabrics. The use of sheer darts or cut-away slashes also didn`t leave much to the imagination of the viewers.
Eveningwear by contrast was softer and shinier. Transparent gauze and silk dresses were printed with intricate graphic patterns. Dresses, tops and cut-away skirts are constructed from embossed leathers, appliqued chiffon and bright red or blue Swarovski crystals.
The London Fashion Show offers an array of choices, leaving buyers asking for more.