LFW – Bolzoni & Walsh and Orla Kiely A/W 2013 collections

This morning, Elm Lesters in Flitcroft Street looked a lot like a theatre. Bolzoni & Walsh and Orla Kiely presented their A/W 2013 collections during London Fashion Week today, but instead of the usual catwalks, the designers created a more interactive way to show their new works.

Downstairs, the married couple of designers brought their usual androgynous designs  to the extreme.

At the entrance of their exhibition, a couple of models comfortably posed on two bikes. They wore leather jackets, tight leggings and wedge heels, because boots are too predictable and not cool enough. Hair was perfectly ruffled by an imaginary light wind.

On the side of the main room, there is a long corridor with pictures of the new outfits from the latest collection. 

The designers played matching jeans and leather on long, loose shirts. A bold, red velvet suit with a red shirt stood out in a collection dominated by dark, winter colours.

Bolzoni & Walsh know how to emphasise the feminine figure with a short dark dress, black tights and aggressive heels.

Once again the designers delivered an interesting image of next season’s woman: she can have a pretty face but look tough at the same time.

In the same building, upstairs, Orla Kiely brought us back to the 60s. The presentation of her new A/W 2013 collection looks more like an art installation than the usual fashion show. The models were dressed up like secretaries from the 60s – all busy in a fictionalised office, typing, answering the phone, walking down the catwalk entertaining the photographers.

Kiely’s new outfits – cardigan or jumper on shirt and skirt – mix and match pastel colours; the designer creates contrasts between delicate nuances and dark tones.

To reinforce the feeling of an art installation, a model sat at her desk in the middle of another room, posing and smiling at visitors and photographers.

Monica Guerrasio

Photos: Ambra Vernuccio