This is a piece I wrote in September 2012, reviewing Jonathan Saunders' SS13 collection presentation at LFW.
Jonathan Saunders, one of the biggest names in the industry presents to the world his Spring/Summer 2013 collection, creating vast waves throughout. With a launch party at London's Bistrotheque restaurant, packed out with its famously "hipster clientele", Saunders' new collection is inevitably LFW's biggest hit.
The collection itself includes ready to wear garments ranging from dresses to coordinate suits. For me, the crowning jewel of this psychedelic collection is the showstopping, bold metallic co-ords, lined with horizontal and vertical stripes of brash (but rather wonderful) iridescent silver. The co ord made up of a modestly cropped tshirt top with a fantastically flattering circle hem skirt. The outlandish iridescents of the piece are perfectly balanced by the crisp white stripes that cut through the ripples of colour, providing a sophisticated twist to the playful and cosmic galactica theme.
The next piece, a billowing maxi. Elegant yet bold, it encorporates the trend that has thundered through all forms, clothes, nails and of course hair. Every hipster's must have -dip dye. Used in its more sophisticated faded fish scale form Jonathan Saunders has created a delight for all. Coloured in off white and rose red hues it creates the perfect balance of day wear and evening wear, dressed on the catwalk casually with white cutout platform sandals and elegantly oversized circular sunglasses, complimented with dark plum rouge lips.
A key theme that runs through the arteries of this collection is the metallic fish scale. Seen in the form of dresses, skirts and co-ords. An edgy pattern to feed the growing obsession with all things mermaid (see Azealia Banks and the flavour of the year, Cara Delevingne for inspiration). Every print featured within this line is flawlessly presented, perhaps a given, after all Saunders received an MA in printed textiles at the ever iconic Central Saint Martins, with his graduating collection landing him commissions at Alexander McQueen and consultancy posts at Chloe. Achieving a high level of prestige before many of his contemporaries. Such designs winning Saunders not only a huge celebrity following (the first lady Michelle Obama and Madonna are self confessed Saunders addicts) but also many coveted fashion awards including the "Lancôme colour award" and "British Designer of the Year Award" at Elle Style Awards. Pretty impressive considering Saunders knew absolutely nothing about textile printing a mere 14 years ago in 1999, before studying the field at Glasgow School of Arts in his native land of Scotland.
The collection does not fail to serve every type of figure, flattering for all shapes and all styles of woman. From the girls who opt for a more glamorous look to the women who enjoy a low key way of dressing there is something within Saunders' most glorious and well received collection for every girl.
His catwalk show provides inspiration on how to create the perfect look which each piece, literally from head to toe. Models wear scraped back hair in high cuffed ponytails with natural coloured hair, darkest hues of noir included. Bare faces and dark lip shades perfectly toned down to give the collection the true attention it deserves. A blinding contrast from his previous collections of very conservative, polite printed dresses, this collection transforms Saunders into the crafter of modernity and luxury. Is this a preview of things to come from the fabulous Mr Saunders? It seems that the whole of the fashion industry has everything crossed hopefully after all the thrills this collection created at its first airing in the Tate Modern's "Turbine Hall" during LFW.
Reviewing this collection gives one a true insight on how Jonathan Saunders has grown as a designer, here he is showcasing his raw talents, giving us a glimpse of his true colours leaving every blogger, designer, journalist and member of the "fash pack" hankering for more of this iridescent glory. Making us embrace our sci-fi side and discard any politely printed textile we own, Saunders is at the helm of this cosmic revolution. And quite frankly his next collection cannot arrive fast enough.
I decided to share this upon hearing the news that Jonathan Saunders is set to launch an outlet store from tomorrow; the 31st of July to Sunday 4th of August, and here's to hoping I can grab some of these beauties there!
