Yet again big thanks go to the excellent Richard Austen Rees Fashion and PR Management for organising such a fantastic event.
It was a pleasure to both meet and to photograph Elizabeth as well as many fashion industry insiders.
Thanks too to journalist Jasmine Martin, just in from the U.S. and thrust into London Fashion week and who I have had the privilege to work with over the week.
Jasmine's short review as follows:
Having not shown a line in almost 20 years, Elizabeth Emanuel made her grand comeback in the middle of London Fashion Week with a collection that reestablished her aesthetic of progressive elegance and timeless beauty.
Inspired by the recent auctioning of Princess Diana’s iconic black dress, designed by Elizabeth, the collection was centred around the Little Black Dress; from lace to silk crepe and netting, the line featured a blending of fabrics and textures, with strategic gathering, straight cuts and intricate detailing.
Fitted dresses with knee-length hemlines were made modern with lace cutouts at the waist and scoop and asymmetrical necklines accented by gathering and jewelled pendants. More trendy pieces included a high waist skirt made wholly out of loop fringes, paired with a low cut, fitted blazer adorned with a large, crystal-and-sequin brooch on the left. Taupe coloured silk was put behind a layer of black lace for high-waist skirts and dresses, and a cropped, shaggy furred gilet even made an appearance over an ankle length dress.
Sweetheart bodices paired with pencil fitted bottoms were given a fuller figure with knee-length trains attached at the waist. Lace was used to create tiered dresses, skirts and classy tops. Tall, feathered headpieces gave these styles a flapper feel, and choker necklaces, both sequinned and made of loops, were great accessories as well. Fitted, mid length dresses with plummeting necklines were alluring and sophisticated.
And even towards the end, the show did not lose momentum. Dazzling, black beaded mesh was draped and gathered over taupe silk to create stunning floor-length gowns. Sweetheart necklines, one shoulder, and high splits made them sexy yet elegant.
Escorted down the catwalk by Elizabeth Minnett in a stunning ball gown from the collection, Elizabeth Emanuel was received with a standing ovation. It was truly a comeback collection, with the Little Black Dresses that will define the season.
www.elizabethemanuel.co.uk/
