London Fashion Week.

The British capital wrapped up it’s latest edition of Fashion Week, naturally under the somber cloud left by the death of Lee Alexander McQueen. However, life must go on and so does fashion. Paul Costello was the first to take on the runway and dispatched rich embroilments worked on heavy metallic fabrics and big volumes. Yet, the high note of the first day went to Australian duo Sass & Bide for delivering a fantastic collection that covered every major trend, their pieces were not only richly made but they were also beautiful and feminine.

On the consecutive days was pretty much more of the same shown in New York the previous week, minor brands followed trends precisely, so it was no wonder to see that many layering, fur and velvet to take the catwalk. Another replica from NY was Naomi Campbell’s hosted show ”Fashion for Relief” which is raising funds for the victims of Haiti’s earthquake, an array of starlets participated in the show, which also paid homage to the late McQueen by sporting various of his latest collections.

Among the only one who stayed away from trend consultancy houses was Christopher Kane, who surprised me by putting up a collection that felt like a trip from a SM shop in Paris all the way to Shanghai Tang store in Hong Kong picking up flowery embroilments borrowed by a Russian babushka on its way via the Transiberian Railway.

Dame Vivienne Westwood, painted a grim future and worried about the effects of global warming as she launched an anti-apocalyptical collection. As the first models strutted down the runway they were sporting tees urging for love and respect to Mother Earth. That reminded me of Vivienne’s husband, Andreas Kronthaler (25 years her junior, former pupil and now creative director of Vivienne Westwood, way to go girl!) who in a recent visit to Hong Kong, was addressing Vivienne’s concern for global warming and her response was to stop consumerism by buying higher quality clothes and accessories, the guy has a point. As for the rest of the collection, it was quintessentially Westwood; signature tartan applied to capes, skirt and dresses, beautiful coats, impeccable tailoring, eye-watering accessories and the extravagant spirit and genius of these pair of hyper-creative dreamers in every single garment.

However star attended, globally streamed and 3D broadcasted, Burberry Prorsum’s show the one that stole the week. Christopher Bailey created a collection which is desirable, fashion forward and yet cohesive with the brand’s grounds. The quality of each garment, juxtapositions of cropping and volume, color combinations and an authentic cool feel to it made this collection the winner of London Fashion Week. As the world emerges from recession, Burberry seemed to be one of the only betting on creating pieces designated for a long life rather than one season use only. The wearability and sex appeal of this collection made me for one second to overlook how timeless it was. A brilliant overall show from Britain’s 2009 designer of the year, we wouldn’t expect less, of course!

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Christopher Kane

Daks

Matthew Williamson

Paul Costelloe

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Sass & Bide

Vivienne Westwood Red Label

Vivienne Westwood Red Label

Vivienne Westwood Red Label

Images via catwalking.com