Ashley Isham autumn/winter 2016 collection catwalk show for LFW

Renowned for sharp tailoring and aesthetic draping, Ashley Isham’s collections are consistent in creating coalescence between the contemporary and the classic. Traditional cuts and flamboyant colour palettes marry to produce styles attractive to clients such as Lady Gaga, Paloma Faith and Cheryl Cole.

Inspired by Russian Artist Igor Skaletsky, Isham has developed his own way of manipulating art history and affluent culture into a provocative contemporary style. Combining traditional processes with progressive technology, the new collection demonstrated a hybrid of the timeless and the current.

Applying the same use of symbolism as the Russian artist, Isham introduced elements of religion and pop culture into his A/W 2016 line. Pulling away from the playfulness of his spring collection, he moved towards interpretations of stories and their emotional connotations. There was a literary approach present in the way Isham had chosen to display his line, even down to the brooding exchanges between the models as they passed on the catwalk.

With a muted colour palette in comparison to previous shows, dark grades of layered textures were combined with futuristic gold trousers and green leather waistcoats. The choice of autumnal hues encouraged a romantic quality, combined with opulent feather headpieces to define couture-styled silhouettes. The headwear emanated extravagance and would have delineated the success of the show, should they have managed to keep them on properly.

Hanah Draper
Photos: Olesya Asanova