LONDON FASHION WEEK : MARY KATRANTZOU A/W 2011

WHO : Mary Katrantzou

WHAT : A/W 2011

WHERE : London Fashion Week

Someone clearly got the message after the sell out success of her lampshade skirt in her previous collection. It seems a designer known for her edgy prints is branching out. MK moved into edgy shape playing with volume and proportions to create one of the best collections of LFW yet.

While there were plenty of new designs to admire. MK works best in print and there were still a selection of her best on display. However the prints are darker and more intense then the previous collection. Hem were back at one length as well. Which is a relief, really wasn't feeling all the fringing!

Beware this trend. Taking me right back to the late 90's. Which were not a good thing. The designer has layered skirts over trousers - OH GOD NO THE HORROR! There are something best left where you found them......Again it reminds me of Henry Holland's crazy nan on acid collection from yesterday. It's a simple shift dress with a cardigan, in insane prints and acid brights. Nothing about this winter is going to be dull or dark!! Footwear choices are heavy and chunky ankle boots. Balancing out the girly effect of the dress. It's almost a nod to the 90's shift dress with Doc Martins. Almost! I must admit that I'm not a fan of the shoes. I find them a little too chunky and a little too ugly for my liking.

Two of the new shapes on offer. The shape is an adaption of the lampshade. MK's sell out piece which caused a stir in the Brown Thomas show in Dublin earlier this year. It's going to spark a series of high street knock offs I reckon. After all, it makes your thighs look tiny which is always a good thing! If your not quite at the lampshade level yet, then try the bubble cut skirts. You can find them at Topshop.com. I have one which I find quite difficult to wear under long jackets. So be prepared to wear with a cropped boxy jacket. (which is very on trend for this season)

So apart from the purple and blues which ran predominately throughout the collection, there was an injection of metallics. But I still think the above maxi dress is my pick of the pieces. I love it. Beautiful.

TRENDS TO WATCH :
purple
blue
ankle boots
shift dresses
nan chic
maxi dresses
volume
unusual shapes
extreme prints

MARKS OUT OF TEN : 8. It's great to see a designer progress in their career and push themselves. I feel that Katrantzou does just that everytime. Each season we see from her it seems to get a little less safe and a little more high fashion. Time will tell if the collection is commercial enough for the fashion market. But I look forward to seeing her next collection.