Jeff Garner AW16 – a LFW show you won’t forget in a hurry…
Held at the Freemason’s Hall the Jeff Garner was a show that was buzzing with excitement (what other designer do you know arrives to fashion week on a horse?) and when his designs graced the runway it was clear to see why. The whole show had a unique vibe to it with a special guest performance from Eric Heatherly and Lucinda Belle. It was named Ruins & Renaissance and once the models came out it was very clear as to why.
The first outfit opened and closed the show and it was without doubt one of the best pieces in his collections. It was the epitome of feminine and Renaissance, with the model in an almost angelic design of white lace head to toe teamed with a white lace umbrella to shield her from an sea of flash bulbs as she daintly walked down the runway.
Then the rest of the show was a stark contrast to this and Garner mixed and matched a number of different elements such as soft cotton lingerie in neutral and khaki tones with knee high riding boots. There was a lot of layering with crop sequinned jackets on top of baggy white shirts and in terms of colour the major emphasis was on jewel and neutral tones. (With a two toned tartan waistcoat thrown in for good measure) Without doubt it was a ‘tough country girl’ kind of collection. He also included floor length flared gowns in tones of muted blue, green and grey slashed down to the navel. Again playing with the concept of contrast.
In regards to the styling the models kept their make up natural with a punchy plum lip and completed the look with either nape of the neck buns or braided detailing in their hair. Garner played on contrasting both softness with something a little more edgy allowing the emphasis to be on the designs.
The models strutted with confidence to the sound of country classics and then the show finished with a gentle harp version of Adele’s ‘Hello’- undoubtedly indicating the contrast of Ruins & Renaissance that Garner wanted to portray with his collection and without doubt achieved.
Images: Zac Mahrouche
