McQ by Alexander McQueen A/W 2012

If ever further proof was needed that Sarah Burton is more than capable of taking the reigns of the impressive empire that McQueen worked so hard to establish, this is it. McQ, the often-forgotten younger sibling of the Alexander McQueen brand, is finally coming into its own, producing one of the highlights of London Fashion Week. Often disregarded due to its lower prices, Burton worked incredibly hard to ensure that the McQ show was equally as impressive as the other highlights of the week, and it's fair to say that her perseverence paid off. From the elaborate set design (the stage was made to look like an enchanted forest, with hand-picked leaves stuck one-by-one to the floor) to the impeccable choice of models and the storyline behind the show, everything combined to ensure that McQ's first runway show was truly memorable. 

The finale; McQ A/W 2012

McQ A/W 2012

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Iris Van Herpen; Couture A/W 2012

Until recently, Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen was relatively unknown, but enjoyed a certain amount of recognition in fashion circles as the "Alexander McQueen for tech geeks". Designing beautiful sculpted dresses on Photoshop before working with an architect to create a 3D replica ensures that all of the gowns are truly unique, and impossible to replicate, earning the designer loyal fans such as Bjork, who chose to wear one of Van Herpen's designs for her most recent album cover, Biophilia.



Iris Van Herpen; A/W '12 Couture

Iris Van Herpen; A/W '12 Couture

However, this season the designer has become the name on every fashion editor's lips thanks to a highly original collection, complete with jaw-dropping accessories that have quickly become the top of many must-have lists. Sticking to the designer's trademark aesthetic, the garments were all ridiculously intricate, often fabricated from tough materials in a figure-hugging silhouette, forming a sort of second skin. It is in this way that the comparisons to McQueen begin to make sense - McQueen famously said that he wanted the McQueen woman to "be feared", and this collection certainly creates a powerful, and memorable image.

Iris Van Herpen; A/W '12 Couture

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Shows; Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2012

For Autumn/Winter 2012, Sarah Burton has once again defied expectations and delivered an exceptional collection which retains all of the key elements of the legendary Lee McQueen's designs, yet includes subtle details that help the brand stay current and progress forward. As usual, the garments and the silhouettes used are extremely severe - dramatic nipped-in waists and full mini-skirts were the favoured blueprint - as McQueen once said, he wanted the McQueen woman to look intimidating and untouchable, describing his clothes as "armour" for the modern woman. It is with this respect that Burton adds a feminine touch; silhouettes are still hugely exaggerated, but the materials and colour palette occasionally stray into extremely romantic territory. Frothy tulle and soft lilacs are used to contrast the almost aggressive silhouettes, whereas the use of soft furs later in the collection add an element of undeniable luxury - although the garments are 100% McQueen, it's obvious that Burton has succeeded in introducing a woman's view on the classic designs.

Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2012

Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2012

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Show; Balmain Autumn/Winter 2012

Of all the Autumn/Winter 2012 shows, one of which stood out the most was Balmain's stunning collection. The French fashion house has long since been renowned for its attention to detail, its most being famous item being the stunning trophy jacket. Luckily, the collection (the second collection by new creative director Olive Rousteing) lives up to the brand's history of gorgeous fashion. Featuring figure-hugging tube dresses, oversized suit jackets and, of course, stunningly embellished trophy jackets, the new collection saw a slight departure from the rock-n-roll aesthetic of previous collections and explored a more regal vision. As always, studs and power shoulders were a key feature to the collection, but pieces such as the quilted velvet trousers and tapestry jackets explored a realm of femininity that has seldom been seen in the previous collections.

Balmain Autumn/Winter 2012

Balmain Autumn/Winter 2012

Balmain Autumn/Winter 2012

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