Extraordinary Britain

British fashion one of the most contradictory. Only here you can see the contrast of conservative and stiffness with cheeky youth avant-garde. Thinking about London fashion at first appears an image of classical Burberry trenches and their checks. But nevertheless London seems to be the capital of street style, where many subcultures were born, such as teddy boys and mods to punks. England presents us Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, newly-made Christopher Kane and David Koma, who became so favourite for Hollywood stars. And conceptual Hussein Chalayan, who amaze us with his ideas.
It seems that British designers don’t need commercial success. They try to create something original and peculiar. They make collections which bring the house down. But exactly in Britain there is a great demand for this kind of goods. Designers succumb to inspiration, which carry them in interesting process of production new collections.
Now, when I think about London, I have images of Agnes Deyn, Peter Doherty, Sex Pistols band and The Clash with their ‘London Calling’ song. Impudence, individuality, a little bit of punk and grunge, vintage, classic and provocation . For me this words define peculiarities of English style.
Now on the London fashion week 2010 we can see that minimalism with his black, grey and body-colour, which became so popular. We can see this trend in Stella McCartney collections especially. Maxi skirts and lace over coarse fabric. Bright prints like in Mathew Williamson collections. And of course unfailing Paul Smith with his checked trousers and jackets. In Christopher Kane collection we can see traditional English checks but in new variation. And of course traditional Burberry, Stella McCartney’s and Paul Smith’s collections, check, minimalism (for this season), vintage, sand-colored, black, wine red colour (which popular in 2009-2010).
Paul Smith is the most English designer. He always try to observe traditions in collections. All costumes are in traditional London style but of course he contrives to dilute costumes with something interesting: green and red socks for girls for example, and jackets with interesting stitches for men. “My ideas come from observation ”,- said Paul. He never let you to have a tedious time on his shows. What about Stella? Her autumn and winter collections seem to be moderate. Only in collections of English designers you can see how traditions can live with trends. And Stella shows us it! She combines trends with classical style and colours. For example so modern in this season colour of red wine she shows us in many beautiful costumes. Not revise to colours she makes khaki skirts with many buttons. With new creative director Christopher Bailey Burberry makes a step forward in development of its brand. Burberry has a great heritage and it is really traditional Britain brand. Sand-colored trenches and checked scarves, which warm you as a Scottish plaid, became the face of fashion. New collections have some innovations like refined sleeves and pink and blue colors, but nevertheless it keeps long-lived traditions.
Designers find their inspiration on the flea markets, where they can find many truly London vintage things. Returning to the past we can see in many collections of British designers and I like England because they honour traditions!