Year 2, Term 1
Shock, another ground breaking collection
from Alexander McQueen. Sarah Burton has pulled out all the stops with her S/S17
Ready to wear collection. Taking her team on a trip to the picturesque Shetland
Isle, North Scotland last summer to gain the inspiration for this beautiful collection,
and boy did it show.
The show took place
inside the mesmerizing L'Orangerie du Sénat halls of Paris
Fashion Week, every inch of the halls had been thoughtfully designed to
complement the collection and capture the culture found in Scotland. The runway
had been crafted to mimic the mountain structure surrounding the Shetland Isle,
on a much smaller scale. The miniature-mountains were carefully draped with
large hand crafted woollen blankets, in reds and blacks. Soft violins set the
scene, which were accompanied by the gentle sound of waves crashing on the
coast, which we’re guessing were collected whilst in Scotland.
Burton sent her models storming
down the runway in an array of sweet floor length dresses in white, black and
wild floral print in delicate hand crafted wools and cottons. After the flow of
maxi dresses followed shorter, sharper woollen dresses in colourful floral
inspired patterns. These dresses carried ancient knit techniques that Burton
and her team would have been introduced to on their trip. Rebecca Thomas,
fashion student described the collection to be “a mix of feminine with lace and
grunge kicks.”
All the models supported slick
hair and minimal makeup, which kept full focus on the stunning garments.
Although the dresses whispered soft, gentle and innocent, a McQueen collection
wouldn’t be McQueen without a dark twist. The delicate dresses were all accompanied
by war style, heavy-duty leather bralets that were studded and finished with
miniature bells, the type you would find on farm animals. Not forgetting the steel
toe capped army boots that kicked up a storm amongst the audience. The final dresses were the cherry on the cake for the
very special collection. The array of all black, floor length gowns that spoke
pirate chic. Alexander McQueen enthusiast Talia Cara “I really like it.
It’s a good mix of punk rock and spring dresses.”
The fresh Scottish air was evidently the motivation
Burton needed to create such a beautiful collection but the twist is one of the
McQueen trademarks that leave us wanting more among every collection that
graces a runway. Since taking over the fashion house in 2010 Burton has managed
to include a subtle Rock ‘n’ Roll punch to each collection without drenching
the garments and losing the concept. Genalla McCray, also known as “Miss Pooh”
of Hot 104.1 St said, “The McQueen brand knows us girly but edgy girls.”
Genalla adds, “I do still
notice the rock and roll influences. It’s not as hard, and that’s perfect for a
girl like me.” Although the Punk element may not as be as potent in McQueen
collections as it is with the likes of Vivienne Westwood, it is evident that
there is still a presence of the era within the brand. As consumers there is
something about the leather accessories and studded boots that keep us on the
edge of our seats, and it is those same additions that keep the Alexander
McQueen brand from floating off the ground and blending with the other designer
houses that show at Fashion Week.
This was a collection that
combined both the soft culture of the Scottish coastline and the thorn that is
Punk Rock Britain. Although the punk rock vibe is a watered down version of
what was seen in during the movement in the 70s the era is still obvious which
bears the question, will punk rock Britain return? Although the idea of it
might be fascinating, the reality is a movement such as punk rock will never be
as strong or meaningful in 2016 as it once was.
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