London Fashion Week: Autumn/Winter 2011--Vivienne Westwood, Antonio Berardi

Irreverent British School Girls, Alice In Wonderland Mad Hatter, Lace & Satin and Sexy Gowns: It's London Fashion Week!

The Do-Not-Meet-The-Inlaws Outfit: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011:

When Is My Lunch Appointment? Vivienne Westwood Autumn/Winter 2011

For Autumn/Winter 2011, Great Britain's High Priestess of Fashion, Camp and Tartan, Vivienne Westwood did not disappoint. Vivienne Westwood states that her inspiration--well really, she gives credit to the head of her Design Studio, Murray Blewett--was inspired by Portobello Road, the Royal Family and "Alice In Wonderland". From the video and photos I have seen, the collection had everything: Tartan school girl uniforms--disheveled and UBER styled--plus great tailored suits featuring that iconic Westwood "corseted jacket", sexy trench coats and (GASP!), VERY wearable dresses!!! Take away all the kooky make-up, hair, Babushka scarves and askew over-sized crowns--and guess what? There were sellable, pretty clothes underneath.

Cutting English Class: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

GoldFace Cocktails: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

Crack-On Geisha Meets Savile Row: Vivienne Westwood Red Label Autumn/Winter 2011

Click Below for Vivienne Westwood Red Label Fall 2011 Collection Highlights:

Antonio Berardi Fall 2011:

Color Blocked Autumn: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Designer Antonio Berardi--famous for his sexy dresses and THOSE heel-less boots and shoes showed his Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection during London Fashion Week this past weekend. There were lots of those cocktail and evening dresses he's come to be known for but also, the news here, was he also showed his version of "Daytime Clothes". Tailored geometrically-cut color blocked suits with draped-folded skirts looked modern and irresistible to his Berardi girls who want to "Give It To Them" while having lunch. In the evening department, the slits were high and there were shots of see-through laces, chiffon mixed with double-face satins, lurex and velvets. And as far as cocktail, as we saw in many of the recent NY Fall 2011 Collections, the lengths are coming down ladies.

Cover The Knee: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Metallic Gala: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Royal Wedding Party: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Be Careful Getting Out Of Your Limo: Antonio Berardi Autumn/Winter 2011

Click Below for Antonio Berardi Fall 2011 Runway Show--Highlights:

Central Saint Martins Graduate Show--London Fashion Week Fall '09/10

Central Saint Martins Graduate Show in London Fashion Week:
Futurist Uniformity by Wayne Fitzell

Last week, in London, the graduating students of the Masters Program of Fashion at the prestigious school of Central Saint Martins debuted their collections during London Fashion Week. Central Saint Martins is considered one of the foremost design schools in Europe if not the world. It is comprised of five schools: The School of Art, the School of Fashion and Textiles, School of Graphic and Industrial Design, Drama Centre London, and the Byam Shaw School of Art. Notable graduates include John Galliano, Sophia Kokosalaki, Christopher Kane, Gareth Pugh and Rifat Ozbek.
Two Dresses-In-One by Michael Van Der Ham

It is said that European design houses from Versace to Prada send their headhunters to the Central Saint Martins show to scout for the best new Design Assistants. And I am sure if someone did an informal poll of European design houses, there would probably be a lot of Saint Martins graduates.
Salmon pink cut-out shift dress with pea-green and black tights shift by Laura Mackness

This year's designers looked to the future in their designs and silhouettes and certainly pushed the edge of what is considered Fashion in the first decade of the new Millennium. There was Minimalist as well as Avant Guarde designs. There were uniforms ideal for "London: 28 Days Later", and some could be perfect for a fabulous London nightclub in 1968 or 1988, but with a definite 2009 twist.
Coiled black and grey Cocktail Dress from Derek Lawlor

It was curious to see the lack of evening wear in terms of gowns. Or at least what is deemed as "traditional evening gowns". Separates and a modern take on "sportswear" reigned supreme at this runway show of the graduating students of design.
Joan Collins Shoulders 2009: Oden Wilison royal blue satin exaggerated shouldered top, pants and matching shoes

As an Instructor of Fashion Design myself, it is wonderful to see what student designers do, especially during their time in school--I feel this is the time to experiment and be ultra-creative, as long as it looks relevant and chic. These graduating student designers definitely showed that.
Click below for an edited runway video of the Central Saint Martins Fashion Show, Fall 2009/10