Out were with the old and in with the new; last night, Mary Katrantzou dramatically swerved away from the colourful prints she’s best known for, throwing the entire crowd at 5 Howick Place into a state of shock and awe. Don’t worry, their replacement was nothing short of genius.

Mary may have utilised a more reserved colour palette for next season, but there was no holding back concerning shape. Dresses framed iridescent photographs, which were cleverly brought to life through overlapping folds of luxurious fabrics and cocoon structures completely irrelevant of the body from which they hung. Where the prints ended, the leather began – and there was not an inch of leather that went unembossed in sight, boasting the vast technicalities of the collection.

Billowing metallic dresses drew the show to a close, leaving the industry’s finest speechless at the sheer beauty of the pieces. Mary Katrantzou showed off the advantages of our digital age this season, connecting fashion and art in a way she’s never quite managed before. Who knew that such melancholy prints could lift our spirits quite so high?

Words: Millie Cotton
Instagram: @elensof

The post LONDON FASHION WEEK: Mary Katrantzou AW13 appeared first on Wonderland.

It’s been a steep learning curve in the fashion world for Bill Gaytten, the Bartlett-trained architect who initially stepped up to helm Dior after Galliano’s infamous anti-semitic outburst. And now, just as the Bartlett-trained architect was settling into his role as creative director of Galliano, John Galliano announces his intention to stage a daring comeback with the help of Oscar de la Renta.

Gaytten may have struggled initially with both Dior and Galliano, but it seems that he’s slowly coming into his own now he’s flying solo with Galliano. In the autumn/winter menswear collection, there were Galliano touches (the tapered carrot trouser, for instance) but on the whole, Gaytten has a much more restrained and less theatrical vision for Galliano. Rich wool and felt dominated, with oversized trilbies lending a slightly more boho touch – apparently inspired by the late artist Joseph Beuys, but not unlike the kind of headgear that Galliano himself would approve of. But as for John returning to reclaim his house? So far, no comment.

Words: Zing Tsjeng
Images: Harry Carr

The post PARIS MEN’S FASHION WEEK: John Galliano AW13 appeared first on Wonderland.