Ones to Watch autumn/winter 2016 collection catwalk show for LFW

At Freemasons’ Hall, home to Fashion Scout for the duration of fashion week, buyers, editors, stylists and bloggers gathered this morning to watch what is arguably one of the most exciting shows of the season. Ones to Watch, an opportunity for rising industry design talents selected by Fashion Scout to showcase their collections in hope of exposure to the right faces (or names).

Fengyi Tan’s collection included modern, slim-line silhouettes, which were kept to a basic but with a genius colour palette. Black, ivory and a range of blues were present, and flattering to all skin tones. Shots of metallic silver occasionally surfaced in the details, as did scarlet. A lemon overcoat came out towards the end, breaking the pattern entirely; though it was paired with all-black, it did feel out of place in the rest of the collection. But overall, a wearable collection. No stunts necessary, Tan let the clothes speak for themselves.

Norwegian designer, Edda Gimmnes, was the second to show with her crafty collection. Big, boxy shapes were created with inside-out, unfinished seams. A thick white cotton drill was used, and then drawn on with a chunky black marker pen. Detailing was seen in scribbled on textures, fur shoulder pads and prints, in front of the audience. Perhaps to symbolise that clothes are just fabric and stitching, really

Last to show was a collaboration project: Dian Pelangi X Nelly Rose X Odette Stelle – a bit of a mouthful and an interesting talking point. While Nelly and Odette are both upcoming London-based designers, Dian is from Indonesia and the collection attempts to challenge the mainstream perspective on modest wear. The intercultural collection was titled CO-IDENTITY, and carried a range of bright and bold hijabs as well as abayas and dresses. The clothes were heavily embellished with gems and beads, and featured a range of gorgeous prints in a whole spectrum of colours.

Kea Bose
Photos:  Erol Birsen