Test Drive | Page 10

FashionLondon style by Mark Cullum Amanda Wakeley With vivid hues, chic evening wear and even a grungy element, Amanda Wakeley’s aw15 collection was anything but run of the mill, especially with inspiration being drawn from the nomadic tribes of Mongolia. There was as much emphasis on textured cashmeres as there was on contemporary tartan and elements of tailoring seen in boldly constructed trousers. This collection shows that the designer has come far from her roots in glamourous evening wear that has been gracing the London Fashion Week (LFW) catwalk since the autumn of 2005. Bora Aksu One of our favourite designers at LFW, Bora Aksu has been delighting us with his romantic designs since 2004. His aw15 collection is another successful fusion of elegance and seduction with the designer’s signature use of embroidery on dresses and touches of couture with hand sewn roses. This collection featured delicate dusky pinks, golds and blues that were boldly contrasted with jet black for a dark twist, a stoic reminder to the approaching winter. Erdem A Decade of Style With finely crafted velvet dresses, textured floral constructions and a general aesthetic that seemed like ornate interior decors were coming to life, Erdem’s offering has been a rich mix of fantasy and couturelike extravagance. He has been a loyal designer on the London catwalk since 2005, making a global impression with his vibrant designs and experimental edge when it comes to fabrics. Last year Erdem received the British Fashion Council’s “Womenswear Designer of the Year Award” and it’s easy to see why. FashionLondon 10