LFW – Bora Aksu S/S 2013 collection with guest Kelly Brook

Turkish designer Bora Aksu impressed the catwalk show today with his S/S 13 collection. Layered dresses in pastel colours were accompanied with minimal accessories to really hold the emphasis on each dress—simple but elegant clutch bags. The main attention-grabber was the extravagantly woven crown-style headpieces, reflecting on the inspiration Bora has taken from Queen Victoria’s grand-daughter, Marie, who became the Queen of Romania in 1922. When asked about this inspiration Bora states: “The way she embraced traditional Romanian culture without losing her Englishness led to a lot of beautiful references.

“As well as her style and charisma, inspiration for spring/summer 2013 has come from the love she had for her botanical garden in Balchik.”

Bora received his first acclaim when he graduated from Central St Martin’s MA in 2002, and he has enjoyed resounding success ever since with four collections a year. His signature is very distinct, romantic but with a dark twist; think Romeo and Juliet. His pieces are bursting with elegance, fascination and intrigue. This particular collection is full of hot seduction yet remains refined which reflects on just how intelligent Aksu is.

Lighting up Aksu’s front row was glamour model Kelly Brook who was wearing Bora’s hot-rust coloured dress and looking fabulous. Also in the front row was singer Kate Nash claiming Aksu is one of her favourite designers.

Bora remains on the official London Fashion Week schedule and it is easy to see why, he will certainly be around for a while.

Stephanie Anderson, Fashion editor

Photos: Alessio Paratore