LFW Sept 08 – Afshin Feiz
17-09-2008
Winner of On/Off's Visionary Award, Feiz is in his third season of On/Off schedule and it was delight to even be in the same room as his stunning collection.
With a front row worthy of stylist/journalist extraordinaire Caryn Franklin, I new straight away that this collection would be show stopping.
Entitled ‘Sometimes You Just Have To Let Go' the collection was inspired by Buddha's Silent Sermon and our need to over analyse, often making us miss out on simple beauties and pleasures. Representing this through juxtaposing delicate fabrics such as chiffon, silk crepe and satin with metal chains that were used in both decorative and functional parts of the garments.
The collection primarily made up of dresses was truly spectacular. With stylish one-shoulder dresses, sweet heart necklines and strapless styles, that varied in lengths to suit all occasions.
Plenty of the S/S 09 collections have featured ‘cut-outs' on dresses and Feiz developed this style further combining cut outs with stunning chiffon/chain appliqués to add depth and detail to the collection.
Other strong trends that developed were full-capped chiffon sleeves and stunning tailored trousers that had a great ‘slouchy', androgynous look; and were truly beautiful. These were teamed with some of the most beautiful tuxedo jackets that I have seen in a long time and had all the hallmarks of a classic wardrobe staple (with an Afshin twist).
Skirts were full and many picked up on tiered ruffles that have been so popular this S/S that it looks set to follow us through to another season, and I can't complain.
In soft Summer colours, the models looked truly tasty as they sashayed down in sherbet tones of blue, pistachio, lemon, dusky pink and dove grey which accented rich creams, caramels and khakis.
Though this was by far the most glamorous and dramatic collection I had seen, there was something intensely relaxed about it, perhaps the colours or the sensational fabric choices, that drifted you off to another dimension entirely.
The final set of the show was dedicated to the show stopping ‘red carpet' gown. Whether covered in a multitude of tiny ruffles, backless, or delicate waterfall fronts, this collection had it all. The mix of chains with incredibly delicate fabrics challenged the viewer in terms of ‘expected' eveningwear and was truly sensational. I may have spoken to early, but with a collection like this in his third season I am expecting big things from this man! Roll on next season!
Words Rivkie Baum
Photography Paul Persky
