London Autumn/Winter '08

Antoni and Alison
If the whole theme of Antoni & Alison’s Autumn/Winter '08 show rested on spontaneity and not trying too hard (the invite was scribbled with black marker on a gas bill for instance) then we hope the rest of the fashion world takes note, sits back, puts its feet up and just stops pumping in all that extra effort for evermore. Compared with much of the contrived fashion ‘concepts’ that have been sent down the catwalk earlier in the week, this show was sharp, sexy, witty and above all natural.

Of course there were all the usual quirky elements you’d expect from this original British team. For one, there was no catwalk: a red curtain came up to reveal a line-up of girls who one-by-one turned around and removed their headscarves - but these were clothes that managed to tread that magical line between art-house and real world.

Inspiration from the British interwar period was rife, with low hemlines, brown satchels and pointed-toe heels, but it was the laid-back way the materials (all wools, weaves, taffeta, velvet and tweeds) had been scrunched, gathered, twisted and carelessly folded that made the looks so delectable. Add to this impeccable rollered hair, blushed cheeks, dark lips and black felt-tip lines up the backs of the girl’s legs – and our only complaint was that this snappy four-minute delight was over far too soon.

Images: Catwalking.com