LONDON FASHION WEEK A/W2011-12 - CHARLIE LE MINDU

Bookended by blood-dripping nudity crowned with a ‘Violence’ headpiece and the master of ceremonies himself, ambling out in a brutalised butcher’s apron, a barrage of ear-piercing, blood-curdling screams soundtracked Charlie Le Mindu’s perverse,  provocative ode to Salon Kitty, sodomy and Carrie.

Emerging from inky black and peppered with searing, retina assaulting strobes, Daphne Guinness, Pandemonia and a bevy of glammed-up buxom front rowers, saw Le Mindu’s now trademark nudity give way to wipe-clean plastics, regal up-dos and pearl-trim trenches. If blood-red lips, alabaster skin and poised, coiffed locks spoke of a new, purposefully elegant execution, then nip-slip halter-neckdresses, plastic plied, moulded and teased into marabou trim capes, Elizabethan ruffs and pearl trim military caps struck a subversive balance of post-conservative, anti-establishment chaos.

Delicate doilie lace came riffed against Kings Road Mohicans dipped in blood red, brutal strikes of graffiti slashed hair, garment and skin with THE profanity and dripping crucifixes. His couture coiffure taking a comparative back seat, gas masks spewing razor straight blonde locks and sharp centre parts crowned the boys whilst it was a taxidermied eagle taking flight, leaving behind a trail of lace – once again –  dragged through blood red that concluded a collision of faux innocence  and blatant brutality.

Images by Katy Davies.

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LONDON FASHION WEEK S/S2011 – CHARLIE LE MINDU 

His fourth season showing at London Fashion Week and now beloved of Lady Gaga, the crowds flocked to Charlie Le Mindu despite a proposed 10:30 am start. His hyperreal, hirsute creations straddling a middle ground between hairdressing, fashion and art, an unashamed, indecorous embrace of LA and Hollywood - in all is fabricated and frankly fabulous glory - entitled 'Detox, Retox, Botox' presented the perfect fit.

Opening with a black velvet one piece - sliced high at thigh, low at the bust - a pale pink wing and towering, Pleaser platforms in hot pink, spotlights on the head and held Mugler-like aloft to cover the breasts shone a literal spotlight on a show of sensual, bordering on carnal, celebration. A flamingo pink and black colourway continuing throughout, leopard and ponyskin pelts were also manipulated into swimsuit like one pieces, pencil skirts, and belted coats, the perfect vehicles to showcase Charlie's focus upon the follicular. 

Beginning with bobbed and lightly curled, Bety Boop come cartoon creations in acid green and searing pink, an elaborate Farah Fawcett cut - unfurling blush pink locks highlighted in acid green - gave way to a poodle - head perched at forehead, body consisting of loose, permed curls falling to the back - and a flamingo turban, inquisitive face peering out, accompanied by a dress in pink, an exaggerated bustle sculpted to encourage the avian's silhouette.

Moving from head to garment, flowing black locks first enveloped a cropped bolero before covering a jumpsuit and floor length gown, tiered strands of hair stretching from head to ankle, leopard spots sprayed in red offering relief at torso. Finishing in a flurry of pink, perspex make-up palettes bringing beauty regimes from behind-the-scenes, a wide brimmed matte black hat ringing with old school glamour and a mirrored Hollywood sign, Charlie kicked off day three with a London-centric shot of out-and-out showmanship.

Images by Slobodan Radosavljenic and Victoria Loomes

Posted by Luke Raymond

London Fashion Week S/S2010 - Blow Presents...Charlie Le Mindu

LONDON FASHION WEEK S/S2010 - BLOW PRESENTS...CHARLIE LE MINDU

The Royal Festival Hall was awash with expectation, as after a surreal interjection of a Blue Peter presenter modelling his own creation, Charlie Le Mindu sent his first model down the runway. Continuing his dalliance with the avant-garde, Charlie's opening look consisted of a rhinestone embellished, Eiffel Tower headpiece which illuminated when pressed. The remaining looks of the collection elaborated upon the incorporation of human hair that Charlie utilised in his previous season's collection.

Flowing follicles of auburn, black and blonde cascaded from structured headpieces, and on occasion, were trimmed to cover whole dresses. A headpiece is nothing without an accompanying outfit, and complimenting Charlie's creations were latex all in one's in nude and black, anchored by towering platform boots. Perhaps unsuitable for a stroll to the shop, Charlie's show, in its uncompromising embrace of the experimental and his refusal to succumb to commercial demands and instead present his own unique vision, was an apt beginning to Blow's show and my own second day at Fashion Week. Images by Kinwai Cheung