Ashley Williams spring/summer 2017 collection catwalk show for LFW
For a relatively new face on the LFW scene, Ashley Williams has made a big impact since her SS15 debut. With Alexa Chung and Mary Charteris as front row guests, she has developed an elite following and it’s clear why: her collection, like her show, is intoxicatingly fun.
With the catwalk strewn with furniture from children’s playroom – all bookshelves with stuffed toys and delicately finished dressing tables with vanity mirrors – the stream of models that paraded the catwalk emanated a viciously cool vibe. From waist-length bubblegum pink hair to buzzcuts to turquoise tinged mullets, Williams’ models were each given (and flaunted) their own unique personality. 
The collection itself was a dazzling mashup of ’90s skater fashion meets romanticism. Ruffles on shirt fronts came second place to the bright red baseball jackets, adorned with cherubs and the huge “FIRST BORN” slogan. 
Puffed “gigot” sleeves were attached to otherwise conventional suit shirts and worn tucked into high-waisted acid wash jeans, reminiscent of the clothes worn by artist Laura Callaghan’s female figures (http://instagram.com/lauracallaghanillustration): unabashed, confident and subversively cool. 
Accessories did not escape Williams’ attention. The centrepiece of every self-styled “cool girl’s” wardrobe, the hoop earring, received a dramatic makeover; enlarged, made entirely of sparkling diamond-esque stones and adapted to form the female ♀symbol, Williams casually paired such accessories with check suit trousers and barbie pink slogan-ridden hoodies. 
In place of the Roxy backpacks donned by my schoolmates in the early 2000’s were stuffed animal bags: white cats and purple bears with oversized beaded handles.
For all it’s Alice Through The Looking Glass absurdity and brashness, Williams’ pieces can easily be imagined on the streets of London, as singular statement pieces or in pairs. It’s a challenge to stifle your inner magpie and not make a leap for the sparkly jewelled “GIRLS” hair pins. Here’s hoping Williams’ maintains this momentum and brings something equally exciting for AW17.
Katie Dean
Photos: Krisztian Pinter
For further information about Ashley Williams visit here.
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