08 January
Grace Wales Bonner:
Directly from the South-East of London, Wales Bonner pursued to turn the average into something astonishing with street-wear raised to new and exhilarating apices.
Wales talked about the sentiment behind this collection and this emotion could be felt in every aspect of the show: the inspiring display of clothes, the miscellany of those who walked in this new story that talks about a young generation full of variations, backgrounds and cultures from all around the world. In a choreographic style, which saw models rushing past each other like people on the street, the narrative of the collection revealed how is to be an immigrant in London. Its message, of the advantage that comes from a mixed migrant society, was clear and insightful.
This style of story – telling is not new, since her debut as part of the Fashion East Installations in 2015, Wales Bonner has used clothing to tell narratives. Sportswear clothes (may I add) with a bit of history. And to this mixture she added contemporary, floating fabric suits accessorized with crumpet ties, handmade harlequin leathers and fur-trimmed newsboy caps with a Caribbean twist. Mink and leather came up to the catwalk in geometric patterns, structure and rhythm. White fur gave a pop of light, an accent, the edge to this collection. The fur details came clean and white but, also with a zebra and jaguar pattern.
