London Autumn/Winter '08

Central Saint Martins MA
The show that churns out fashion’s rising stars was, this year, a rather restrained affair. The Saint Martins class of 2008 seemed intent on producing wearable collections in monochrome and neutral palettes and although the press may have been slightly disappointed that the next Christopher Kane did not saunter off the catwalk, there were quite a few exceptional graduates.

Simone Shailes bagged the L’Oreal Fashion Design Award. She has come a long way from learning how to knit from her Nan to designing impeccable chunky sweaters and cabled cardigans, which she says were inspired by ‘girls with big hairdos.’

Sachio Kawasaki’s black and white knits with swirly prints influenced by ‘the wave of light’ were exquisite in transforming two-dimensional patterns into three-dimensional shapes.

Mary Katrantzou’s (above) use of jewellery shaped digital prints on jersey dresses with gold zippers was both inspired and original.

Images: Catwalking.com