WORD.

LONDON FASHION WEEK S/S2011 – CRAIG LAWRENCE PRESENTATION

His fourth consecutive season as a British Fashion Council NEW GEN winner, Craig Lawrence's presentation in Somerset House's Portico Rooms exuded an air of ethereal refinement. Shown in tandem with a screening of the collection's accompanying film - directed by Ben Toms - the title 'Siren Mermaids' pre-empted a delve into the mythological. Whilst knitted, knotted plastic - yarns loose, spaced, even honeycomb like - referenced Craig's previous work, particularly when bursting into full, bunched, unwoven strands at side and back, slim, glistening Japanese Kyototex yarns, informed long, slender streamlined silhouettes.

A racer-back gown falling in fluid folds to the floor, a tight, body-conscious number - back exposed, yarns moving serpentine - in peacock green, and a subtly athletic halter neck piece - yarns running in sharp diagonals in opposition to verticals of the torso and thus encouraging a flaring, flowing skirt - communicated such a development, fitting for Craig's customary customer and a sure-to-be emerging eveningwear clientele. A two-piece bikini - high waisted briefs - and oversized cardigan presented a move into daywear, whereas a feather-like finish on a sleeveless empire line dress, and a striped, tonal crew neck take referenced the undulating waves and muddy greens of the sea; Lawrence's mermaid made defiantly modern.

Images by Slobodan Radosavljenic

Posted by Luke Raymond