Further defining the Lou Dalton brand, SS15 sees sharp tailored functional city wear in a shade of Pepto-Bismal pink

For Lou Dalton SS15, it was all about control. “It’s defining who we are as a brand,” she says. “ Who I am as a designer, where we’ve come from, and where we are going now.”

Looking to the countryside for inspiration, Lou has re-invigorated simple work wear garments into technically performing city wear staples, each with a unique stylized edge. The army field jacket is re-mastered in dry wool whilst the trench coat is given a new lease of life with un-zipable sleeves and outer-hanging oversized pockets. Functional elements transmogrify into purpose designed details and mesh facings on the outside of garments reinforce the idea of revealing what lies beneath.

The school-boy uniform and city favourite blazer and shorts duo is served with sharp tailoring in dusky taupe and a shade of Pepto-Bismal pink, offering a paradoxically sharp relaxedness, whilst boxy bomber jackets are teamed with cigarette trousers for a silhouette that masterfully plays with masculinity. The classic baseball shirt is presented in a stiff white fabric, giving it a new meaning in this more formal style.

Further collaborating with Grenson shoes, Lou presented two styles of chunky slip-on and lace-up footwear in black and white, continuing her concept centering on control and protection. Clunky in their approach, they look fit to take on the British weather, storming through the puddles as they go. Meanwhile a partnership with Champans saw a modern re-work of the classic ammunitions vessel, the first ever Lou Dalton bag, make its catwalk debut.

Words: Brooke McCord

Photography: Amy Beasley