As the global fashion industry continues to adapt its traditional approach to presenting each season, the British Fashion Council (BFC) and London Fashion Week (LFW) continue to lead the charge, with the second rollout of a fully digital, gender-neutral online platform showcasing the latest collections for Autumn/Winter 2021.
With traditional catwalk shows and presentations still unable to take place due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions, the inclusive event affords brands and fashion houses the creative freedom to produce and deliver innovative presentations of their most recent designs, to a global, virtual audience of fashion fans, all eager to catch a glimpse of the season’s upcoming trends and styles.
From concept video clips and virtual couture presentations, to high-end editorial shoots and stunning pictorials, last month’s four day virtual extravaganza served as a glorious celebration of some of the city’s most promising and emerging new talent, who found themselves presenting their latest contemporary lines alongside a selection of the industry’s most established and respected creatives.
Below we highlight some of our most favourite moments from London Fashion Week AW21…
AHLUWALIA
“Traces”
“The spirit of migration, brotherhood and unity by virtue of synchronised movement.”
As the recipient of this year’s Queen Elizabeth II Award for Fashion Design, Priya Ahluwalia launched her brand’s streetwear-inspired Autumn/Winter 2021 collection via the specially curated short film, Traces. Made in collaboration with Stephen Isaac-Wilson, Holly Blakey, Chris Melgram, Nell Kalonji and musician cktrl, the captivating clip aims to challenge the “fundamental relationship between migration and cultural expression” whilst exploring themes of blackness, migration, and ancestry.
BIANCA SAUNDERS
“Superimposed” Autumn Winter 2021 Collection
“A collection about finding creativity and sexiness in both the surreal and real world.”
British menswear designer Bianca Saunders delivered yet another groundbreaking collection this season, with her experimental, bold designs brought to life in a video inspired by Jean Cocteau’s 1932 avant-garde film, Blood of the Poet. Filled with ingenious, experimental pieces, all influenced by the surrealist works of artists including Man Ray, Erwin Wurm and Jean Cocteau, the line helps to further broaden Saunders appeal, as she explores themes of creativity and sexiness in both the surreal and real world.
Watch “Superimposed” the collection film directed by Daniel Sannwald here:
BURBERRY
“Escapes” Autumn/Winter 2021 Menswear Presentation
“A collection that gently challenges and subtly reinvents traditions, inviting freedom of expression.”
Set within the grounds of the brand’s flagship store on Regents Street, the digital presentation for Riccardo Tisci’s first standalone menswear collection at Burberry was an intrinsically artistic affair, that saw a myriad of wooden blocks erected to form a maze-style runway for models to walk.
Serving as a nod to the British brand’s ethos of exploration and adventure, the contemporary line brings a whole new level of sophistication to the streetwear category, with its earthy colour palette of beige, bark brown, burgundy, and city-grey tones, elevating versatile items including trench coats, pleated skirts, geometric patterned style shirts, varsity jackets and sweatshirts.
View the presentation in full now:
KAUSHIK VELENDRA
The Power of Fashion and Its Influence across our Self-Empowerment
“The purpose of this film is to showcase the positive impact fashion has for everyone in their daily lives.”
Using his platform to showcase more than just his talents as an innovative menswear designer, Kaushik Velendra blew LFW audiences away with the unveiling of an eye-opening film exploring the power of fashion, and its influence on a person’s “own sense of self-empowerment”.
Made up of a series of interviews with artists including Kelly Rutherford, Layton Williams, River Viiperi, Billy Langdon, Bobby Brazier, and Daniel Lismore, the powerful clip takes a look at opinions on fashion and gender, as Kaushik quizzes the guests on topics ranging from inclusivity, masculinity and gender diversity, to the role of menswear, how to support the creative industry and how to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Enter the world of Kaushik Velendra’s by watching The Power of Fashion and Its Influence across our Self-Empowerment below:
NENSI DOJAKA
AW21 with the support of Fashion East
“To repaint the image of women; showing both sides: the vulnerability, but mainly the strength that characterises them.”
Debuting her latest set of creations as part of the lineup for this year’s Fashion East showcase, Albanian designer Nensi Dojaka continues in her mission “to repaint the image of women”, with her AW21 collection of beautifully crafted pieces inspired by the 2016 Serpentine Gallery exhibition of Swedish artist and mystic, Hilma af Klint’s sculptures.
Building on her unique aesthetic, Dojaka’s latest work manages to uncover a whole new level of sophistication, with her lingerie-inspired designs effortlessly encapsulating the true essence of beauty and femininity.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLrGVeegmAL/
VICTORIA BECKHAM
Autumn Winter 2021 Collection Visual Presentation
“Optimistic but realistic, this collection is founded in the now.”
Despite choosing not to showcase her latest collection on the official LFW line up, Victoria Beckham still managed to make her presence felt, by presenting an array outfits influenced by the city of Miami, where the designer currently resides.
Placing a clear emphasis on strong tailoring, comfort, protection and delicacy, Beckham adopts a less-is-more approach this season, by creating a collection made up of essential and adaptable pieces, suitable to both dress up and down.
Watch the Victoria Beckham Autumn Winter 2021 digital presentation, shot on location at the Hayward Gallery in London, below:
To view more of the presentations and collections showcased at London Fashion Week AW21 visit londonfashionweek.co.uk now.
Philip Logan
