After a full on weekend filled with Kettle Chips, PVC and sanitary towels, we’ve come to the Ready to Wear show. The beauty of Ready to Wear collections is just that, they are actually wearable! No inappropriate cling film dresses here.
Let’s get started:
Once again, peacocks appear to be the inspiration behind the Orleans Design collection. Colourful fabrics printed with peacock feathers were used as the basis for a variety of dresses.
A stunning yellow peacock print ruffled dress was given an additional pop of colour with a bright red bib neck.
Another startling piece was shift dress which looked as though it was made from hundreds of folded ties! The paisley printed and solid plum ties were alternated to give a tiled effect, and flapped around amusingly with the movement of the model.
Designer Hazel Aggrey-Orleans took to the stage holding her sweet but bemused looking daughter to enthusiastic applause.
Playsuit Parlour’s stunning collection did exactly what it said on the tin, and more by showing not only playsuits but kimonos too. Gorgeous paisley and ditsy printed fabrics were pinned, cinched and tied into playsuits of different shapes and sizes, from flirty little minis to ankle skimmers. Favourites included a ditsy printed moss green mini with v neck, voluminous cap sleeves and a row of tiny buttons down the front, giving it a 1940’s feel, as well as a cornflower blue floral, backless playsuit with a tulip hem.
Brighton based Yamama’s collections consisted of clean shapes and simple patterns put together with stunning effect. A white shift dress was sparsely patterned with purple and orange dandelion halos and cap sleeves while a simple pink shift was brought to life with a waist cinching black belt and hem.
Former Glory kicked off their collection with a patriotic prom dress in the colours of the Union Jack and featuring both a corset top and masses of frothy, voluminous underskirts. A forest green body-con jersey dress was tarted up with a deep scoop neck and a chiffon bustle whereas pair of black sequined leggings was topped with an equally sparkly sequinned visor. Who said less is more?
Like Minnie Mouse, polka dots are a staple in my wardrobe too but Be Urban Chic managed to make this classic print even more adorable when they used hearts instead of dots. Topped of with a Queen of Hearts playing card fascinator, this boxy playsuit would brighten up any day.
In complete contrast to the sweetly detailed playsuit, hot pink fabric was used for a very simple floor length dress which was equalling as stunning and showed the diversity within the Be Urban Chic range.
Another 7th Day took the idea surly, emo teenagers and managed to make them beautiful in this predominantly black collection. Using models as opposed to spotty adolescents obviously helped. Leather jackets, knitted hoods and crepe fabrics were all used in this moody range, reminding us that black doesn’t have to mean boring.
Distressed jeans and oversized blazers were worn by the foot-dragging and slouched models, both male and female. The one ray of light in this sulky collection was a cream crotchet dress worn with cream cropped trousers and a light, multi-hemmed trench.
I knew I was going to like the collection shown by Brighton based store Profile, not just because they were showing pieces that were high-end designer and eye-wateringly unaffordable, but because the combination of a fuchsia frothy skirt and a nude vest is right up my alley. Who doesn’t love froth? Pink and black voluminous shifts dresses looked like 60’s nighties, whereas paisley silk hanky-hemmed dresses brought the rich bohemian look up to date.
Kerry Knowles presented us with a striking monotone unisex collection that looked stunning on both male and female models. Identical items were worn with subtle styling differences to differentiate this boxy range. Simple details like leaving a couple of buttons at the back of a cream button back tank top undone gave the top a cowl back for a more feminine look. And oversized coat was belted for a feminine waist. Barbara Hulanicki was also a fan, mentioning Kerry’s collection during her afternoon Q and A session.
Last but not least, the models of Ailsa were a friendly bunch, constantly high-fiving, winking and caressing each other as they passed on the catwalk while wearing outfits such as sheer, voluminous tops with paisley style prints, a long striped maxi dress was accessorised with a cropped purple jacket, and a grey waistcoast teamed up with silver sequinned harem pants. Furiously backcombed quiffs were sported throughout the collection, extending to Ailsa herself who took to the stage for her bow arm in arm with one of the overfriendly girl gang of models, and wrapping up the last collection of 2010.
Until next year…
threesmallapples 
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