One of our favourite additions to the fashion calendar in recent years has been the arrival of Oxford Fashion Studio to London…
Once a single city showcase, the studio now transports the incredible collections of its dazzling designers around the world.
Now in its third season of international events, the OFS LFW shows were a delight to behold. Hosted within the metropolitan architecture of Devonshire Square, against the open air backdrop of the iconic Gherkin, both the afternoon and the evening extravaganza elicited countless ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ throughout the event.
The afternoon show was preluded by a stylish drinks reception. I adored the branded bows tied around the champagne glasses. They really added a touch of class. It’s the little things!
While waiting for the show to start, I was also given a sneak peek backstage at some of the “quick change” numbers that would be revealed on the catwalk. It was incredible to see all the details that go into producing a tight Oxford Fashion Studio show.
Once the audience was settled into their seats, the show kicked off with some superb athleisure looks from Brazilian brand Fit and Chic Activewear.
Both stylish and practical, the array of floaty yoga pants and slouchy training tops will be perfect investments come January, if ‘get fit’ is going to be top of your New Year’s resolutions list.
Next up were the latest knitwear creations from Filipino designer John Herrera. The structured, camel coloured coats cast some amazing shapes on the catwalk.
Some simply screamed couture, while others are clearly destined for the next Bond movie. We could certainly see Grace Jones killing it in this number:
Other designers who impressed included Hailly London, whose cream leather coat is sure to be a sell-out, and Hertta, with some pretty cosy-looking coatigans.
However, my absolute favourite collection from the afternoon show was, by far, Vjera Vilicnik. Just about everything was stunning. Romantic and whimsical with clear references to the latest brocade and medieval trends.
Firstly, the designs were so wearable – perfect for a wedding or formal event. But there were also some real statement pieces that I could see myself wearing over and over again, like this amazing green jacket with faux fur cuffs:
During the interval in between shows, I had the pleasure of joining Oxford Fashion Studio director Carl Anglim on a tour behind the scenes. It was a real joy to witness the relationships between everyone involved in making these shows a success. They really are like one big family, which is rare in the fashion industry, which can have a reputation for making more frenemies than friends!
It was also a joy to watch as catwalk director Tiffany Saunders lovingly set up the next round of “quick change” numbers. It was obvious how much she adored the designs.
By the time I emerged for the evening show, the sun had set and a twilight glow had descended upon the runway, casting shadows in pink, blue and green lighting. Devonshire Square is a truly versatile space.
Opening act April Banbury, a young but highly talented designer, delivered the ultimate line-up of fairy tale ball gowns. I was blown away by how breathtakingly beautiful some of the designs were.
We were left in no doubt that Cinderella would go to the ball if Banbury has anything to do with it. It was a sensational start.
From the fairyland of April Banbury, it seemed we were hurled down to the underworld when the latest lines from French label Inês de LuCa made an appearance. The little black dresses, in various cuts and shapes, were set off by the crystal cages encasing the models’ faces, giving the show a sinister edge.
Next up was the conceptual collection from Saudi Arabian fashion house, Ot Kutyr, which embraces everything subversive and edgy. Rebellious, grungy and in your face, this collection would make a nineties Kate Moss proud.
Shout out to the stylists behind the Ot Kutyr showcase. The hair and make up for these models was seriously insane. Like, literally out of this world. Think Princess Leia on speed:
Second-to-last, we saw some sculptural jewellery pieces from Ivan Midzic. They really reminded me of the Game of Thrones designs recently launched by MEY London. Emilia Clarke, eat your heart out. We fully expect to see Daenerys wearing an Ivan Midzic necklace next season.
The final collection from Kraken Counter Couture was the ultimate show-stopper. We loved the latex lollipop shades and textured tones of the collection. There’s no denying that the fiery, fluorescent faux fur full length coat was flagship design of the night.
Supplemented by some sharp shiny suits and some beautiful bomber jackets, it was a phenomenal way to close the show.
We can’t wait to see what Oxford Fashion Studio brings us next season!
