English/Nat
Long lean silhouettes and ‘cholita chic’ are the themes on the catwalks as London Fashion week continues, but away from the bright lights the British public weren’t too impressed with some of the designs.
Betsey Johnson lived up to her reputation of vampish glamour using vivid colours, frills and creative fabrics.
And Ronit Zilkha, who has designed for the wife of British Prime Minister, Cherie Blair, used fine, high quality fabrics in muted colors to create a timeless yet modern look.
“Cholita”, a Spanish pet name for a young girl from the Andes, is the name Betsey Johnson uses to describe her Hispanic inspired collection.
Johnson says her 1999 spring fashions – collected under the title ‘The Rose of Harlem’ – emphasizes the power of woman.
Against a backdrop of Latin-inspired music, loud, bright colours came together with short tutus and mesh fabrics to create the retro look for which Johnson is known.
This is the first time the American designer has premiered a collection outside of New York.
She was not allowed to show in London until a store was opened in the city.
Johnson says this collection is a medley of her favourite things.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
“Well it’s kind of like that song, ‘These are a few of my Favourite Things’. It really is a collection of all my work, really, of very extremes that I’ve gone through.”
SUPER CAPTION: Betsey Johnson, Designer
Out on the streets, members of the British public weren’t about to rush out to the shops to buy Johnson’s designs.
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” I don’t really know about the materials what colours it is, but, at the moment it looks like something for the bedroom really.”
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
One lady said Johnson’s outfits were alright for a night out on the town, but not much good for anything else.
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“It depends on what they’re for. As I said, if they’re for clubbing, partying that sort of thing, then I think they’re great fun if they’re for wearing to go to Sainsbury’s (supermarket), then absolutely not.”
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
Back under the lights, and on the minimalist side of fashion, Ronit Zilkha brought her classic-inspired collection to the London catwalk.
British celebrity Paula Yates was in the front row watching Zilkha’s touch of modern quality.
Yates has rarely been seen in public since her stay at a clinic where she was treated for depression following the death of her rockstar partner, Michael Hutchence, last year.
Using clever cuttings and long lean silhouettes Israeli-born designer, Zilkha, has created what many call ‘understated chic’.
Muted colours combine with Zilkha’s clever cuttings to create designs favoured by many.
Sheer, fine quality fabrics of chiffon and georgette are used with fine knits to create a classic look.
The shows end on Tuesday after numerous designers, including London-based Japanese designer Michiko Koshino, have hit the highroads of fashion with their spring collections.
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