Ashish catwalk show report for LFW S/S 2016

Rainbow coloured disco lights flashed away, illuminating a laudable celebration of kitsch, sparkly, sequin adorned models at Ashish, which was met by euphoric whoops of glee from the packed throng of a usually oh-so-conservative fashion crowd.  Ashish delighted from the outset with kids’ glitter stars and sequins, kids rolling down the catwalk on skateboards, big kids whooping in the audience – the show was so rapturously received that it made you wish all catwalk shows could be like one big children’s party!

Led by the troop of 90s glitter fairies on skateboards, models appeared sporting white tulle puffed prom dresses patched with rainbow beads, gigantic ruffles, fully glitter encrusted joggers and hotpants, oversized denim bombers and tennis shorts fraying at the seams, glitter trainers and handfuls of sequins were strewn in hair.  There was a distinct devil-may-care attitude with ‘Shut your mouth’ repeated as though hand-written on a school chalk board, over slogan jumpers and trousers.  Double set spaghetti straps on loose silk nightdresses, one strap purposefully hanging down added to this carefree, fun attitude.

Rapper M.I.A, presenter Billie JD Porter, and upcoming girl band M.O watched Asish’s iridescent vision for Spring/Summer 2016 from the front row, presumably getting covered in the sequins thrown over the audience by the models.  Dark denim dresses and were emblazoned with red hearts, laser cut and outlined in red cord, flamenco dancer frills excited in translucent organza, gigantic bows featured on casual pink shirting and denim co-ords, merging with Indian sashes and tulle capes covered in intricately beaded flowers.

Be-heeled male models held hands whist strutting down the catwalk, later twerking to deafening cheers from the crowd and sending Will Young’s “#menindresses” hashtag berserk with one model wearing Ashish’s nude woman motif slip dress.

Ashish brought the house down and what a show for the final day of a busy London Fashion week, brightening the hearts of even the frostiest of fashionistas, and making everyone watching this fabulous and inspiringly unifying show want to shower that old glitter set you had as a child over every boring, old, plain piece of clothing that you own!

Victoria Geaney
Photos: Krisztian Pinter