LFW – Ashley Isham S/S 2014 collection

Last year he brought us a soft 60s stylised collection – so soft a puppy even accessorised the opening! This weekend Ashley Isham presented a more intense look for his SS14 collection.

The colour scheme was strong, bold and bright. Red, deep purple and cobalt-blue gushed down the regal setting at Freemason’s Hall.

Inspired by the 1967 movie Belle du Jour, the collection was decadent, seductive, and oozed femininity. Hats were pulled down over models’ faces with black mesh openings allowing them to see. It was elegant and fiery with a hint of debauchery.

The collection boasted a variety of pieces from ball gowns to shorts. Simplicity couldn’t be further away as Isham patterned his pieces with very elaborate and decadent motifs. Black flowers emblazoned busts, collars and lined the waists of some pieces, whilst an interesting use of PVC appeared upon another design. Cast under a flowing cinched-in red dress, the plastic sheet swam around the model’s feet – presumably a difficult piece to demonstrate. The material was embellished with gold detailing, sparking intrigue.

Lavish jackets were matched to some of the dresses showcasing the vast amount of detailing the Singaporean designer worked into his collection. Amid all the garnishes, his signature draping and strong tailoring remained a focus of this show.

Ultimately, Ashley’s SS14 collection was wickedly royal, effusive and dynamic.

  

Michelle McGill

Photos: Martin Evans