Marques’Almeida A/W 2017

Marques Almeida A/W 2017

(Image credit: Jason Lloyd-Evans)

Mood board: Fashion duo Marques’Almeida burst onto the London fashion scene in September 2012 with their denim-focused Fashion East debut. While the pair’s nineties-inspired frayed denim has infiltrated the high street, Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida’s creativity has only continued to evolve, with particular focus on distinctive fabrications. Backstage the designers’ referenced Malevich’s abstract works, photographs of Nina Simone, and Mawi dress from the sixties and seventies as inspirations in their latest collection. This included ruffled skirts and halter necks hand-painted with spots in earthy tones, checkerboard fur coats, silk jackets in bright swirling prints and wide colour-blocked trousers.

Finishing touches: Evolving their accessories offer, the collection featured large hoop single earrings and spiraling gold cuffs which coiled up the arm. ‘Nina Simone really inspired the jewellery,’ Marques explained backstage. ‘We were looking at old editorials and Polaroids of her.’

Teamwork: This was the third season that Marques’Almeida cast their friends of the brand, or #MAgirls, in their show. This sense of unity was also reflected in the show’s soundtrack, which featured clips of feminist speeches, overlaid with Simone’s Feeling Good, and was a touching nod to today’s political climate. ‘We got really inspired by the girls, because they all look really different and individual. We loved the idea of Mawi's celebratory dress because that's really what the show was about – celebrating the girls.’