LFW Feb 2019: ON|OFF Presents…
07-11-2024
Alice Viola reports from the ON|OFF designer showcase on the final day of London Fashion Week…
The ON|OFF Presents show took place at London Fashion Week’s main hub on the Strand and showcased 6 up and coming designers, 4 of which I found made a particular impression on me, the first designer being Colin Horgan. I really enjoyed many aspects of Colin’s collection, especially his iridescent silk gowns that were made in an almost edible palette of blues, oranges and delicate pinky-purples that when contrasted with the dramatic wide belts and utilitarian embellishments and clips was most interesting.
While the digital floral and lip prints did not necessarily adhere to my own personal taste, I also really appreciated the deconstructed tailoring of IA London, as well as the general nod to a very Gillian-Anderson-as-Miss-Havisham-esque kind of gothic which was further emphasised through the choice of elegant older model with their teased hair piled high, and their grotesquely long, dark, glossy nails that were used with great effect.
I found Longshaw Ward’s offering to be particularly interesting in that it was a really unusual mix between a sort of ethereal, feathery tulle in ice-cream and neon colours combined with some very sharp, dark, masculine tailoring.
Personally I thoroughly enjoyed Daniel Pascal Tanner who really struck a chord with me and with my own style, using brutalist post-punk group IDLES ‘Mother’ to offset the Romanticism of the Victoriana cum Americana feel of the collection. Impressively, the richness of the Liberty materials used, as well as the prettiness of the corsets did not overtly sexualise the female form, but added to an almost boyishly severity that made it all the more appealing!
Images courtesy of ON|OFF
Review by Alice Viola
Related articles:
LFW Feb 2019: International Fashion Showcase
LFW Feb 2019: Design Diversity is Right Here