JW Anderson S/S 2020 London Fashion Week Women's
Epherema inspires the eclectic brand's spring offering

Mood board: ‘It was about looking and questioning’ said Anderson backstage after his S/S 2020 show. ‘The ability in fashion of being able to refocus.’ And there was plenty to look at inside the designer’s usual bleacher-lined Bloomsbury show venue. Draped one sleeve dresses with a rhinestone smattered infinity-shaped breast pieces and belts, lurex harem pant suiting, colourful fringed shirting, splodgy Dalmatian prints and leather drawstring pouches slung in threes over the shoulder. Anderson spoke of ‘noise cancellation’ and honing in on details in the oddly specific and eccentric style he is renowned for. Take boned blazers, their fronts ‘blown up in Marie Antoinette style’ and backs deflated, bejeweled sandals designed to barely stay on the foot and beaded daises covering breasts inspired by ‘1970s iconography.’
Scene setting: ‘It was about the idea of ephemera,’ Anderson added, referencing the show’s venue set up, which featured the artwork Pet Co. (2018), by Vancouver-based artist visual artist Liz Magor, made up of boxes of transparent plastic museum casings, holding colourful childhood toys. The installation spoke of things once treasured, lost, found and given new meaning, in the same way fashion works to bring new modernity to silhouettes, techniques and shapes. ‘It’s about taking things we no longer want and repositioning them,’ Anderson said.
Finishing touches: Anderson focused on the idea of jewellery and it’s ability to ‘become armour or something more sensual,’ seen in rhinestone sparking breast harnesses, repositioned as a form of underwear worn as an outer layer on the body, worn both as a form of protection and adornment
JW Anderson S/S 2020
JW Anderson S/S 2020
JW Anderson S/S 2020
JW Anderson S/S 2020
-
Last chance to see: Sharjah Biennial 15, ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’
Built on the vision of late curator Okwui Enwezor, the Sharjah Biennial 15: ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’ offers a critical reframing of postcolonial narratives through major new commissions
By Amah-Rose Abrams • Published
-
For London Gallery Weekend 2023, the mood is hardcore
With London Gallery Weekend 2023 almost upon us (2 – 4 June), here’s our list of must-see art exhibitions
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Birkenstock celebrates its most memorable styles with colourful capsule (and matching socks)
Birkenstock marks the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Gizeh, Arizona and Madrid sandals, respectively, with limited-edition versions
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Margaret Howell London Fashion Week Women's S/S 2019
By Dal Chodha • Published
-
London Fashion Week S/S 2023: Ahluwalia to Martine Rose
Though slimmed-down, London Fashion Week nonetheless provided the moments of creative expression the city is known for – from Ahluwalia’s ode to Africa to Martine Rose’s much-anticipated runway return
By Jack Moss • Last updated
-
Milan Fashion Week men's A/W 2022: Prada to Fendi
A Prada catwalk peppered with Hollywood stars; menswear's new erogenous zones and a modern take on classic silhouettes: all you need to know about Milan Fashion Week men's A/W 2022
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Discover these fashion brands at London Craft Week
During London Craft Week, fashion brands including Smythson, Bally and Serapian are hosting events across the capital
By Hannah Silver • Last updated
-
Nicholas Daley's multicultural roots celebrated in London
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Men's knitwear designs: wearable works of art?
These knitwear designs for spring ensure we're wearing our art on our sleeve
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
The ceramics show celebrating Soho's drinking culture
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
V&A spotlights the sartorial and social significance of the kimono
For the latest endeavour of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk explores the evolution of the iconic Japanese garment
By Grace Cook • Last updated