Mark Fast spring/summer 2018 collection catwalk show for LFW

Evoking an amalgamation of imagery from summer festivals crossed with a gothic sense of ethereality and even the 1920s, Mark Fast SS18 showcased the potentially multifarious aesthetic that can materialise from the utilisation of classic textures, details and styles.

Known for his meticulous approach to knitwear and delicately crafted finishing’s, Mark Fast SS18 did not disappoint with an array of fringed textures and crochet knits that moved across the catwalk and evoked a boho-esque vibe that would be enough to draw the attention from any regular Coachella attendee. This 70s style was blended with haunting hues that infused their typically joyous associations with a gritty vampire-esque visual, thus creating a whole new outlet ready to be explored through a medium that typically expressed a contrasting air. This was most suitably demonstrated by a slimline dress, so intricately crocheted that it drew a spiderweb-like pattern across the model’s body, finished with fringed bell sleeves that created silhouettes-and-shapes-in-all-the-right-places.

Form and texture was a notable focus within the collection. Fringed flapper dresses and skirts finely swayed to and fro against the model’s gait, building a bridge between the fluidity of the perceived outline and singularity of every individual strand. Bodycon dresses featured as a nod to a more contemporary trend; completed with rugged cut out details and rope-like embellishments, this icon of glamourous femininity was infused with a rawness reminiscent of a warrior.

Standing in contrast to this were an array of bejewelled crochet dresses that toyed with the harsh lighting, twinkling in our peripheral vision. Creating a series of rustles and clinks akin to that of a champagne glass, the dresses exuded a level of class that could equal, if not surpass fashion in the 1920s.

From the eerie to the glamorous, Mark Fast SS18 demonstrated both the sense of finery and edge that exudes from his ensembles, showcasing the true malleability of his craft.  

Libby Festorazzi
Photos: Erol Birsen