Tears and Tantrums
In the wonderfully weird world of Charles Jeffrey, LOVERBOY’S TANTRUM could mean anything, but for his AW18 collection, it simply meant his gang of misfits taking to the runway and quite literally throwing a tantrum for ten minutes. Picture your average Monday morning when you can’t find your house keys, right? Dressed in apocalyptic attire from torn up dresses to graphic, 28 Days Later-style face-paint, Jeffrey had 10 actors running around the Topman Show Space at the Old Selfridges Hotel screaming, shouting in peoples faces and, to put it bluntly, getting pissed. It quickly put guests in their seats and set the scene for what was undoubtedly the most buzzed-about show of London’s AW18 showcase.
Scottish Charm
Bold patterns and prints were commonplace throughout with nods to Jeffrey’s Scottish roots via a selection of tartans in red and blue, seen on skirts and statement bombers. The standout print was the striking graffiti that found its way onto tight-fitting tees, cropped jackets and dresses – an aesthetic perfectly in line with LOVERBOY as a brand, with a creative synergy running through Jeffrey’s clothing, artistic output and his club nights. It’s clear to see that Jeffrey has made huge progress and greatly developed with his past two collections, honing in on his craft and ensuring the small details are fine tuned to perfection. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed and his status as a rising star in the fashion industry is evidenced by his recent win at the British Fashion Awards where he picked up Emerging Menswear Designer, nominated alongside Phoebe English and Henry Holland.
Fire Starter
In regards to mise-en-scene, alongside the tantrum-throwers (who stood and screamed obscenities at every model as they passed by), there was a live drummer who soundtracked the show with a rendition of The Prodigy’s “Firestarter”. Building on their already strong working relationship, an inflatable set was provided by Gard Card with the usual abstract obscurities — vivid shapes, curious characters and scribbles. Another key element worth a mention is the inclusion of The Horrors’ frontman Faris Badwan, who walked in the show wearing a statement trench – our 15-year-old selves are still feelin’ flustered.
