Louise Gray’s show was the one were looking forward to most during London Fashion Week. That’s a fairly big call on our part, considering the kind of designers that are showing, and also because the week’s not even over. Admittedly sometimes too much pressure can lead to the most dismal of expectations but Louise’s new season, Oh No Babe, is the best thing to look forward to from British fashion for summer.
Remember when I was talking about eccentric characters in fashion? For me, this collection represents the modern eccentric. There is no rhyme or reason to the way these clothes are put together but it works and it seems to sum up the energy of the city. It’s subversive and sweet and so many characters rolled into one. It’s no surprise Louise’s background is in print design. As an artist she has a wonderful way with colour and this collection is a perfect art-meets-fashion enterprise where contrast meets key. The shapes are simple but prints and embellishment take focus.
I don’t want to take away from what Louise has created but it’s important to note this collection was a collaborative effort between Louise, Judy Blame and Nicholas Kirkwood.
