Presenting collections for A/W 2021
Date: Friday 19th – Tues 23rdof February 2021
London Fashion Week opened this season with an entirely online schedule amid Covid-19 restrictions. Designers, given15-minute slots, used a diverse range of presentations to deliver their pre recorded A/W 2021 collections.
Some were presented as a classic catwalk show, others enhance nature and floral themes in outdoor settings, punk re-emerged, whilst accessory label Hill and Friends chose light-hearted animation. Presentations delivered just the mood of the collection or were 14 minutes long.
Fewer designers showed, with the men/women divide becoming blurred throughout with a lean toward unisex clothing with no specific gender. But it was the dress, long, full, with volume, frills and sheer extravagance that took pride of place for next season. In lush satin, taffeta or feather light tulle, in blocks of colour, huge floral prints, or back to black. As a craft technique, crochet and complicated hand-knitted patterns came to the fore. For press and buyers it was a unique opportunity to see collections unfold from the front row.
Eight accessory brands presented collections across jewellery, bags and headwear, and included two established UK milliners.
Stephen Jones, with an exquisite and passionate documentation of his collection entitled ‘French Kiss’ gently moved from sketchbook to finished model. Each piece was inspired by the city of Paris, from the simple beret to the Moulin Rouge.



Misa Harada presented five pieces from her collection entitled ‘Wonderland’ that were feminine, yet commercial, and perfect for her Japanese customers. Ties, bows, pearls and diamanté adornments, transformed winter caps, hats and headpieces for both day and evening wear.


Hats were included in many collections to enhance the total look, Noel Stewart was credited for the ‘Art School’ collection, whilst Stephen Jones for Edward Crutchley. Also noted were the presentations of Mark Fast, Jamie Wei Huang and Bora Asku who used headwear to advantage. Overall it was an exciting season, colourful, exhilarating and once again pushing boundaries.
Let’s just hope that winter 2021 is business as usual!



