LFW – Antoni & Alison AW 2012 collection

Antoni Burakowski and Alison Roberts’ ‘models walking up and down in dresses’ kick-started London Fashion Week in undemanding style. After working together for 25 years, the duo are both ‘thinkers’ and ‘doers’ of the work, and the one and only performance of the collection proved how truly made for each other they are.  Using art studio rather than fashion studio for the basis of their work, Antoni and Alison’s lavish display of printed dresses were simple yet powerful. Set within the courtyard for The British Fashion Council, the collection was installed within a site-specific venue to use the traditional catwalk show as the vehicle of its exclusive presentation.

Seeking ideas from the most unordinary; felt tips, cellophane, glitter, bin bags and biscuits, the prints highlight a more purposeful and artistic point of view. Blocks of bold colour interrupted with graphical designs allowed the shift pieces to be delicate but striking. The light structures of the dresses, varying from knee to maxi, featured printed buttons and zip fastenings alongside boyish haircuts and striking blue nails by Anatole Rainey.

Seeking inspiration through portraying a raw idea in its simplest form, patterns included polka dots, large bow prints, gold and a more traditional ‘vintage heritage’ style design. Built-in cropped blazers were as outlandish as designs come, but somehow it made the dresses even more likeable.  The collection allows the individuality of the wearer to be brought out in a minimally fantastic way.

Kellie Griffiths

Photos: Sara Reverberi