London Fashion Week: Spring Summer 2013

London Fashion Week once again showed the eclectic and edgy side to British fashion as pattern and colour ruled the catwalk.

There was a retro feel to some of the styles with a return to the slouchy jackets of the late eighties along with biker jackets, leather and figure hugging flowing gowns with added bling.

Prints were big whether they were ethnic, graphic, tartan or floral and while black and white were out in force, the designers were not afraid of bright shades for  next spring.

Shoes were generally elegant and ladylike though the heel height was a lot lower than it has been in  past seasons while skirt lengths remained demure and to the knee.

Here we look at some of the top trends we spotted on the runway that we hope to be wearing next spring.

Underwater Aquatic

There seemed to be a sea theme as colours and patterns reflected water of all shapes and sizes. Fabrics were soft and flowed with the styles.

The styles above are from the collections of Giles, Bora Aksu, Julien Macdonald, Jonathan Saunders, Matthew Williamson and Maria Grachvogel.

Graphic Prints

It was an artistic edge that walked down many of the catwalks in London. Fabrics looked like they had stepped off the walls of an art gallery and were enhanced by cuts that showed off their full potential.

The designers that did this the best included Mary Katrantzou, Temperley London,  Antoni & Alison, Mario Schwab, Roksanda Ilincic and Matthew Williamson.

White

Nothing says summer better than all white and there was a heavy representation of this in London this season. From heavily tailored to soft and flowing, it didn’t matter as long as it was white.

Doing it best was Issa London, Mulberry, Sass & Bide, David Koma, Christopher Kane and Burberry.

Stripes

It wasn’t just in New York that stripes were making a comeback. In London many designers used horizontal stripes to full effect, if in a little more of a relaxed way than they had across the pond.

Paul Smith, Jonathan Saunders, Jasper Conran, Giles and Clements Ribeiro all showed off their interpretation of the style.

Trousers

From chinos and clam diggers and pantaloons and pedal pushers, every style of trouser seemed to have a place on the London catwalks this week. Whether it was fitted or flared, cropped or slouched the thing that they all had in common was that they were well cut from gorgeous luxurious fabrics. Paired with a pointed stiletto the Spring 2013 pant means business.

Moschino Cheap & Chic, TopShop Unique, Emilio de la Morena, House of Holland, Paul Smith and Meadham Kirschhoff all showed stand out style in the trouser department!

Brights

This was another trend seen across the pond and carried on from this year’s fashion trends, whether it was neon pinks and blues or hot reds and sunny yellows, attention grabbing colour lead the way. If there was one hue that was head and shoulder above the rest it had to be juicy orange shades that will be adding a citrus edge to next year.

Using these hot shades to full advantage were Mark Fast, Osman, Julien Macdonald, David Koma, Burberry and John Rocha.

Florals

Spring would not be spring without floral designs and while this year the patterns were more demure and ladylike, they didn’t lack impact. A fifties feel definitely came through with the prints, many backed by a fifties style shape as well.

Some of the standout styles were Erdem, Clements Ribeiro, Temperley London, Preen by Thornton Bragazzi and Vivienne Westwood Red Label.