Sadie Clayton spring/summer 2018 collection presentation for LFW

Sadie Clayton’s presentation of future couture centred around the key colours of black, white and pink neutrals with metallic motifs meant to indicate the futuristic inspiration behind the line and the fusion of harsh metallics incorporated with delicate materials.

Structured pieces and tailoring were cohesively combined with ruffle motifs or metallic detailing, which were used to highlight the female silhouette. The inclusion of metallic elements informs the hues of the neutral colour palette – pinks, creams, beiges – adding a futurist twist to classic design pieces. Those pieces that didn’t inherently feature metallic elements were displayed on mannequins with reflective silver faces which could symbolise the unknown future of fashion and fashion design.

One futuristic motif that featured were textured and bevelled copper chest pieces that appeared atop a black high neck cut-out sleeve top and a draped skirt and also a longline tapered cream skirt paired with a cream textured sleeve shirt. Other stand out pieces included a grey and black split structured skirt with waist ruffle, which was paired with a structured black shirt that includes stiff ballooned sleeves and showed structural integrity, this look, which used a number of different materials, was paired with muted metallic accessories in the form of a copper watch. The minimalistic approach in terms of accessories and display means that the singular focus would be the designs themselves and the techniques used.

A tapered pink bomber style jacket, which was paired with a draped tulip style skirt, featured stitched stripe detailing in copper and white around the neck and sleeves. This small design touch was added to a previously simplistic outfit and a casual functional piece – in the case of the bomber style jacket – and shows the addition of the futuristic metallic theme. The layering of metallic stripes is meant to signify layering during the process of design undertaken by Sadie, which can be discovered through the augmented reality experience at the exhibition space. The movement towards the content in the AR gallery causes the fusion of each of the design elements to create the whole copper pieces which are displayed on the garments themselves.

The muted colour palette and use of structuring and tailoring construct an identity around the metallic elements – whether that be on the designs themselves or in the form of accessories such as watches – and help implement them as the central focus of the garments. The use of an augmented reality in the space reiterates the futuristic element of design used but also allows the consumer to explore the design concept behind the creations themselves.

Chloe Davies 
Photos:Erol Birsen