WHO? Belstaff
IN A NUTSHELL: Making its London Fashion Week debut, the Belstaff presentation with its plush green grass carpet, illuminated display cases and models playing human statues made for a refreshing addition to the schedule. The Autumn/Winter collection was all about heritage meeting luxury to result in the modern. Translation? Iconic coats and jackets reworked in luxe crocodile, cashmere and shearing, in a classic colour palette of black, steal and graphite infused with shots of ochre.
Belstaff Autumn/Winter 2012 collection. Photo:Getty
BEG, BORROW OR STEAL: We could have happily slipped on any of the slick, tough-girl jackets in order to step back outside into the freezing cold, which looked as practical as they were pretty. We also would have liked to take home the knee-high buckled heeled boots. (And one or two of the male models, for that matter!)
F-ROW: Well, there wasn't a front row as such, but Anna Wintour popped by to take a look, as did all the major editors.
VERDICT: We're enjoying this emerging trend for part-show part-presentation (we're now officially coining the term show-tation) as also seen at Richard Nicoll this season: meaning you can wander in and out as you please, see the pieces close-up on display, but also see them moving on a model. It's the best of both worlds. A strong, quality-focused collection from Belstaff, it stays true to the label's aesthetic and will be a sure fire consumer hit. Here's hoping it's now a firm fixture on the LFW schedule.