Here's my first London Fashion Week post, which is many days late but LFW - and indeed all fashion weeks - are known for tardiness, so at least it's in keeping... My first show of the season was Maria Grachvogel. Oh wonderful, ladylike Maria Grachvogel.
Held in the grand, gilt gold Lancaster Ballroom at The Savoy, the British designer's AW12 collection harked back to the glamorous 1930s jazz age. Hair was slicked back in side partings, lips were dark and bold and thick wool tweed materials contrasted against shimmery opulent fabrics with product names like Speakeasy/ Charleston/ Buster/ Chaplin/ Capone/ Ellington/ Gershwin.
The collection showcased plenty of draping and metallics, which are golden words to me this season… I fell in love with the first couple of looks, pictured above, featuring bronze and gold lame against a small leoparad print jacquard.
The invitation featured the firework print from one of her long satin dresses, but I preferred the simple designs in one colour, like this gorgeous petrol blue.
Sat somewhere between loungewear and evening wear, the hemlines were tasteful and the silhouette was languid, elegant and swishy; long palazzo pants, trouser jumpsuits and billowing maxi dresses created flowing movement in bronze, gold, olive green, garnet red, champagne and smoky blue.
Floor length dresses were slashed to the thigh to flash skin whilst other pieces were slashed from shoulder to elbow, backless or had deep v necklines and loose three quarter sleeves pinned at the elbow. Women of all ages would look good in this stuff and the sheer wearability made this show one of my favourites of the season.
