Louise Gray
Tumbling down the rabbit hole, whatever would I find??
Vintage undoubtedly will always be niche apparel, targeting those amongst us; though subtle it may be, just have to clinch that reflective edge off the fashion forward. Even the catwalk can’t escape it as upcoming designer Louise Gray, exhibiting her 2010 prêt-a-porter collection at ‘The London Show Rooms 8 day event’ dictates to us.]
Originally Gray stood for anti fit and anti conformism, which abundantly flows through her ‘out of bed’ looks, which focused on draping heavy knits, solid dresses, A-line shapes and 60’s hippy florals. From Scotland and Central St Martin’s graduate, Louise has made a lasting impression on the frivolous apparel market. Retrospectively her acclaim has been achieved for flamboyancy, colour merges and contrasting shapes.
Playing with the juggernaut giants, her 2009 collection, it’s pretty clear that her that Alice is truly left wonderland. Utilising backdrops to model the clothing, Gray transforms the everyday apparel into a whimsical work of art, latching on the make believe and intertwining fabric with fantasy. Its commercial appeal to the likes of WAD and Purple may be immense, however their apparel appeal lack in substance in order to compete with the likes of McCartney.
However I have to say, it’s the quintessential nature of this collection that has me hypnotised, drawing inspiration from all the novelty hype, Gray has created a collection truly worthy of recognition. Mirroring tailoring representative of 80’s punk and ‘nauticalness’, there is a strong sense of engrossment, as though Gray had actually captured the spirits of ‘Alices’ characters herself.
One thing is for certain the bold colour pallets of 2009/2010/2011 are sure to get her noticed.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that her 2011 collection is as mad as this hatter!
Images courtesy of IMAXtree.com/MattoVolta
Louise Gray backstage 10/1
Louise Gray backstage 10/2
Louise Gray backstage 10/3
Louise Gray backstage 10/4
2010 has brought to light a creative ability I can say only seen in the likes of Gareth Pugh and the late lee McQueen. Her 2010 A/W collection can only be described as a snapshot from space. Her intergalactic inspired prints and other worldly designs are effortlessly merged along with clashing colours, enhancing all this with the use of silk to give the garments a natural earthly flow, a perfect paradox on the runway.
Fresh faced from Central St Martin’s her bold prints have grabbed the gaze of the fashion press. Establishing her own label in 2008, Katrantzou’s designs have emulated from strength to strength, her exquisite tailoring and ‘boxagenal’ yes oxford dictionary word ‘boxagenal’ shapes have created a sumptuous hype amongst major fashion events, giving mainline fashion houses a run for their money.
Her 2010 express collection, exhibiting at London Fashion Rooms, is just a pinch on what she can create tailoring wise. Paying particular attention to the A- line skirts and terabyte shoulders, it’s clear she’s on to another lasting trend for 11/12. Short and sweet with a bitter twist, keep an eye out for Mary.
Mary Katrantzou backstage 10/1
Mary Katrantzou backstage 10/2
Mary Katrantzou backstage 10/3
Mary Katrantzou backstage 10/4
