Neil Barrett balances masculine and feminine details for AW14, read about it here. 

So it would seem Neil Barrett’s AW14 menswear show back in January was a good indicator of what to expect for his womenswear offering. The most obvious indication being the frequent use of the graphic thunderbolt motif in both collections. The collection was an exploration of the balance between opposites, masculine with feminine, sculptural fabrications with fluidity, streetwear with formal.

The silhouette is sharp and masculine. With most aspects taken from a mens wardrobe and reworked to give a feminine feel. Coats, jackets and bombers have extended facings and irregular pleats fall from tailored outerwear and biker jackets. The colour palette is kept dark and minimal with tones of ebony, walnut, black and white with flashes of orange toward the end of the collection, energising the collection.

The thunderbolt features heavily as a repeat or jacquard, on quilted leather blousons and sweatshirts. The thunderbolt is accompanied by graphic polka dots, both of which sculpt and define the form in a game of perspective. Another aspect borrowed from the mens show is the bear fur print, adding texture to bombers and sweatshirts, nicknames the new “eco” interpretation of fur.