Edward Crutchley autumn/winter 2019 collection catwalk show for LFWM

The opening look in Edward Crutchley’s autumn/winter 2019 collection was a fleeting one, in the sense that it did not prepare your for the raucous style to follow. A slinky, luxurious black satin robe was worn on top of a provocative shortline bustier, which was paired with velvet harem pants. This quickly evolved into an eclectic mix of animal prints, Wall Street pinstripes and models donning a rather interesting choice of slippers.

The collection elevated itself to a frivolous bravado. Avant-garde accessories included a top hat with some serious height, and was the finishing touch to a sheer chiffon shirt with silver lurex fringing and high waisted trousers. An uproar of deconstructed snakeskin prints and animal motifs that followed was a nod to power dressing, pomp and parties.

A colour palette of muted camel and chocolate brown brought us to the wild safari. There was a jacket with a bird wing motif across the shoulder and a snakeskin shedding meandering down the other side. Tailored coats came in cashmere snakeskin jacquard, while classic fit shirting were in technical crêpe de chine.

For all the opulence of Crutchley’s detailed prints, fur embroideries and metallic sheen, the collection drew on the iconography of wear-to-work. Slouchy, relaxed tailoring fabricated with pinstripes on slate-coloured fabric were slimmed down in homage to the no-nonsense tailoring of the 1980s. Business, but make it casual.

Crutchley’s offering was businesswear with bite.

Isobel Bridgwood
Photos: Huw Jenkins