Monster trucks and levity lift London Fashion Week

Monster trucks and levity lift London Fashion Week

Ukrainian designer Masha Popova is best known for her work with denim
Ukrainian designer Masha Popova is best known for her work with denim. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Source: AFP

Don't miss out! Get your daily dose of sports news straight to your phone. Join YEN's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!

Designers can find sources of inspiration in unexpected places -- as evidenced by the runways of London Fashion Week on Sunday.

Ukrainian designer Masha Popova turned to monster truck shows while China's Susan Fang showcased a collection of ethereal dresses.

Engines roaring

Best known for her work with denim, Ukrainian-born designer Popova continued what she called her "obsession with denim manipulation" in her new collection.

Models walked the runway in denim mini-skirts and hip-hugging low-rise jeans.

Popova, based in London, treated her signature fabric in a variety of ways -- including over-dyeing, flocking, scratching and patchwork -- to produce a "rugged effect".

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

The collection was inspired by monster truck shows and featured an "electrifying" colour palette for the outfits.

Read also

From streetwear to red carpet, London Fashion Week offers choices

The models walked to the beat of techno music, with the sound of engines roaring in the background.

Popova counted social media influencers among her guests, including the sisters Abby and Charlotte Roberts, both with millions of followers on TikTok.

Fashion content creator and model Emma Winder told AFP after the show that she liked the "earthy tones" of the collection, even if she was "not really a double denim fan".

Floating with Fang

Susan Fang, originally from China, launched her brand in 2017 after graduating from the Central Saint Martins arts university in London.

Since then she has created futuristic designs with a weightless, floating appearance.

Susan Fang has created futuristic designs with a weightless, floating appearance
Susan Fang has created futuristic designs with a weightless, floating appearance. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Source: AFP

For her spring and summer 2024 collection, models walked beneath large wings made of white kites said to represent "human civilisation and emotions", hanging next to the figure of a "cold robot" also made of white kites.

Below-the-knee skirts, from black to pale pink, were paired with crop tops in the collection, which also featured dresses with tulle ruffles and sandals worn with socks.

Read also

UK designer rejects 'fast fashion' to protect planet

Fang also showcased a dress made from protruding wire trees adorned with beads, handcrafted primarily by women from Chinese minority groups, a centrepiece of the collection.

Fang said that with the design she wanted to create an "ensemble resembling the Tree of Life, radiating the pure energy of human life".

Union Jack and English palace

Montreal-born designer Erdem Moralioglu staged his show under the colonnade of the British Museum, creating a majestic atmosphere from the outset.

For his spring-summer 2024 collection, he delved into the archives of Chatsworth Palace, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire in the north of England.

A model presents an Erdem creation in London
A model presents an Erdem creation in London. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Source: AFP

Erdem created a poetic collection, with prints based on engravings and Chatsworth tapestries.

The organza and satin skirts and dresses were long , the shoulders bare, like those of a fairytale princess.

However some of the looks were much more modern, with large biker jackets, one of them petrol blue, partly covering a long pink transparent skirt.

Read also

London Fashion Week throws spotlight on young designers

Sinead Gorey, one of the last to showcase her works on the London runways, paid homage to the "British summer of love" with a collection that put the Union Jack front and centre.

The flag was featured on the designs that included thigh-high, high-heeled boots harking to the 1990s Spice Girls, with inscriptions like "London Swings Again!" and "God Save the Sexy and the Glamourous"!.

London Fashion Week continues before winding up on Tuesday.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.