Daily Front Row

2007 September 19

Fashion East - London Fashion Week Spring 2008

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Fashion East Spring 2008
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(LONDON) Lulu Kennedy’s three Fashion East players this season were returning champion Henry Holland, Louise Gray, and Noki. All three stuck to a club kid vibe, with Henry Holland opening. A single leather appliquéd letter seemed to be an homage to his hit slogan T-shirts of last season, but this time around the designer showed a collection of tiger-striped skintight bodysuits, high-waisted hot pants and crop tops in neon prints and black vinyl, bustier tops, and denim knee-studded jeans that would have looked appropriate in any ‘80s heavy metal video and will likely be a hit with London’s raver set. Louise Gray was next, showing a collection inspired by Paul Klee and Jean Miró, mainly consisting of simple shift dresses embellished with cheekily placed patchwork appliqués and chains on color-block hued fabrics. Lastly, Noki’s punk-rock chicks sported massive afros and surgical masks, looking like a cross between Slipknot band members and images from Shoichi Aoki’s Fruits books. The show’s theme was sustainability, which seemed discordant with its over-the-top sensibility: slashed customized T-shirts reworked into shirtdresses and playsuits paired with striped or fishnetted knee highs; graphic Americana looks with Disney and Looney Toons tees, reworked letterman sweaters, and leather biker fringe. The show ended on an ‘80s prom note, with satiny fishtailed skirts paired with more deconstructed tees.