The Olympics were rightly held up as an era-defining example of what ‘best of British’ means today… humour, wit, irreverence, inclusivity, organisation, warmth, success. And LFW displayed all the same characteristics.
Show after show was a riot of originality. I loved the clashing prints at Clements Ribeiro and the potent cocktail of hologram, neon lace and patent at Kane and Saunders. And as for Dame Vivienne Westwood … who else would pair models with green faces and 1950s ladylike elegance? Show after show revealed serious, cutting-edge style wrapped up in a wonderfully eccentric, British sense of humour.
Organisationally, London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 was also a master-class in scheduling, transportation and co-ordination. No dedicated lanes for the fashion pack, but there were eighty-plus shows running to time (well, almost), thousands of models, the world’s media and 50 different venues including a furniture store and a car park. It was a logistical nightmare, but also an amazing showcase for yet another side of the capital.
Our fashion industry has never been stronger, contributing gabillions to our economy during even the toughest times and is a leading light among the creative industries we are so rightly renowned for.
And it’s another part of Britain which regularly showcases what the Olympics shone such a bright light on – our creativity underpinned by superb technical skills and unrivalled organisational skills.
