Day 2 GFW – UCA Epsom

 

Students at UCA Epsom produced collections that covered the spectrum of style and taste. There was the sweet, there was the sexy; there were collections that whispered and collections that shouted.

Sweet and playful came first in the shape of Harriet Edmunds’ collection of scalloped edge shorts, playsuits and Peter Pan collars. It was preppy and retro in shades of the sun, sand and the sea.

 

Contrast was instantly provided by Anna Melkova’s powerful leather pencil skirts and jackets in wine and black with eighties inspired gold chain trims. These were clothes for strong women with bags of body confidence.

Howra El-sekaifi took a more crafty approach to leather with her rustic, yet sexy, leather patchwork in browns, creams and glistening gold. Fur sleeves added an interesting textural contrast to coats whilst soft blouses shimmered

Modern and minimal menswear by Clarissa da Silva featured strong colours, simplified lapels and rounded shoulders. See-through PVC pocket details appeared on shorts and duffle bags. The bags were worn slung casually across the body, leaving diagonal flashes of coloured rope.

Avanti Bidikar’s collection had been designed with a far more extrovert male in mind. Peacock prints, metallic leather and neon colours combined to give a refreshingly brash approach to male fashion. The heavily beaded silver collars and tank top details gave a final extravagant flourish fit for strutting about town.

 

A nerdy, American Boy Scout appeared to have been the muse for Samantha Wood. Bumbags were teamed with small town inspired shirts and short trousers. Digital floral prints were scattered across jackets.

Mauve, lavender and rose pink made for dreamy, feminine womenswear by Rachel Evans. Softly pleated  high-waisted trousers were teamed with an old-rose sculpted neck blouse . Ruffles and tiers came in toile de jouy prints.

Veera Kerimaa used broderie anglaise extensively throughout her collection fit for a French school girl. It appeared under heavy black pinafores and edged white tie-waist dresses. Cut-outs appeared at the back and mid-drift, yet loose shapes maintained a modest silhouette.

 

Subverted sweetness was far more obvious in the work of Natasha Storey. Ditsy rose prints were mixed with rocker studded leather. A cleaning lady apron in a bold pink rose print was accessorised with a studded granny chic shopping trolley, surely this must be high on Debbie Harry’s retirement shopping list?

 

Charlotte McLennan closed the show with her literal, fun and unashamedly crazy tribute to safari style. A zebra coat featured a mane and tail that swished down the catwalk, a lion print t-shirt dress was worn with a lion’s mane parka and a utilitarian grey silk jumpsuit was paired with an elephant head bag. Crazy? Yes. Worryingly wearable? Definitely.

 

By Jenny Evans

Photography By Luke Charles