Ashley Isham has dressed anyone who is anyone, from Lady Gaga to Christina Aguilera, Cheryl Cole to Kylie and a whole host of todays biggest pop singers. As this immediately suggests, Isham is revered amongst those in the know for ability to design exquisite creations that are full on high octane glamour. At this packed out AW13 show at London Fashion Week, the man surely lived up to the reputation with an eclectic collections that ran the gamut from kinky cyber secretary to sporty separates and ethereal old Hollywood siren gowns, Isham took the mundane, paired with the bizarre, the classic with fashion forward contemporary, and created a collection that serves as fantastical escapism that can be quite easily incorporated into the everyday woman’s wardrobe.
The show started out with Stepford wives and office girls glad in monochromatic pencil skirts, rollnecks and crisp body hugging shirts accessorized with vinyl leggings and gloves, futuristic visors and S&M harnesses in a serving that was every Comic Con man and boys fantasy. More colourful were the Town and Country ladies from an authoritarian future that followed, sporting a brilliant array of jackets and capes over suits and classic separates where Isham played with traditional shapes and in particular by accentuating collar and shoulder designs for a harder militaristic edge, with spectacular results. The designer juxtaposed opposites of form (flowing and severe) expertly accentuating the female body in a perceived image of perfection that was bold and modern. The collection concluded with the ultimate romantic fantasy and every woman’s jewel in her sartorial crown, sweeping, jewel encrusted and extravagant Grecian, evening and kimono gowns worthy of any red carpet.Ashley Isham AW13 is a tale of the modern woman, and ode to her duality both in her nature and her life, and also her femininity.
Photos : POP Pr