London Fashion Week S/S2010 - Lou Dalton

 

LONDON FASHION WEEK S/S2010 - LOU DALTON

Showing in The Portico Rooms, the vaulted ceilings, cornicing and general air of light romance was complimented by Lou Dalton's second season at London Fashion Week. Chatting backstage with Lou after the show she identified her inspiration as Napoleonic seafarers, and this nautical bent was evident in Breton jumpers sprinkled with embellishment. Lou also divulged that during the Napoleonic period, it was necessary for sailors to pay their way towards captaincy, a gradual progression towards riches that was echoed in Lou's pieces.

The collection opened with simple tailored shorts cut just above the knee, and blazers and shirts were rendered in light linens in colourways of light and dark blues, creams and camels. Further embellishment crept in, with ruffles adorning the edges of a blazer, and a white tunic with ruffles spilling from the collar. The finale outfit, a navy two-piece suit, epitomised the summit of the climb towards material wealth and subsequently sartorial extravagance.

A floor length bustle tumbled from the base of the blazer, and in another look, what appeared to be steel structures protruded from the shoulders and seat of trousers. A running theme in today's MAN shoes, a special mention must be given to Lou's accessories. Extra large tote bags complete with jaunty illustration were donned by every model, elaborate rosettes in glittering gold and silver adorned necks and shorts and featured as brooches, and gold straw hats which, in tune with the garments, evolved from simple to extravagant. Lou exuded a delight at being included in today's schedule, a delight which considering her exercise in elegant, summery masculinity unafraid to venture into the unconventional, looks set to be fulfilled next season.