London Fashion Week: fledgling designers impress yet again at the Fashion East show

This season's Fashion East show - an initiative founded by fashion's fairy Godmother Lulu Kennedy and sponsored by Topshop - saw three fledgling designers unveil their collections
Team finale: this season's Fashion East show saw more young designers impress with their collections (Picture: Jeff Moore)
Emma McCarthy18 September 2014

The ability to nurture young creative talent has long been at the heart of London's reputation as a fashion capital.

Nowhere is this more apparent than on the final day of the capital's fashion week, which sees a host of the industry’s rising stars take their turn in the spotlight.

First to take to the catwalk was Chelsea College of Art graduate Helen Lawrence, who has already proven a talent for innovative knitwear. This season was no exception, with dissected jumpers featuring a patchwork of latex panels and statement stitching, alongside A-line flared washed denim jeans and paperweight cotton organdy shorts.

Fashion East - in pictures

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Following Lawrence in the line up came the sophomore collection of Louise Alsop. Riffing on the romantic grunge themes in her debut last season, the University of Westminster graduate ripped apart convention with shredded cobweb dresses, frayed bleached denim and slashed jersey tube skirts. Spaghetti strap sundresses, covered in skull and scribble prints or heat-transferred patches, were a linchpin of the collection, while a series of open-sided t-shirts cut from layers of organza served to soften the overall effect.

But it was the debut of newcomer Ed Marler that provided the biggest spectacle of the day. The Central Saint Martin's graduate ensured his arrival on the London Fashion Week schedule didn’t go unnoticed as male and female models dressed in gowns stormed the catwalk. In a vibrant and eclectic showcase, Marler presented dramatic Victoriana basque dresses and oversized silk slips. Baroque bullet proof vests, lounge scarf bandeau tops and velvet-lined taffeta parka jackets trimmed with ostrich feathers were mainstay, as were brocade miniskirts and Union Jack print trousers. While Marler’s creations may not be to everyone’s taste, he has rapidly gained a roster of high profile fans including rapper M.I.A. and super-stylist Katie Grand.

Having launched the careers of the several of London Fashion Week’s headlining acts, including Richard Nicoll, Jonathan Saunders and Roksanda Ilincic, Fashion East is a powerful driving force when it comes to cultivating future design stars. With shows like this, it’s little wonder it’s become an unmissable highlight on the fashion week schedule.

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