Yesterday I took a bi-annual pilgrimage to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway for Bristol Fashion Week A/W11, eager to how high street brands have reworked this season’s trends. Each season BFW guides shoppers through key trends with the help of catwalk shows, shopping discounts and pampering treats. As always the shows are presented by TV stylist Mark Heyes and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, who were on top form again at yesterday’s show.
With retailers including M&S, John Lewis, Republic and Accessorize the catwalk show was packed with style, sass and on-trend outfits. Trends were diverse, including 40s vintage, 70s glamour, colour blocking and even a fetish collection using sheer fabrics and leather dresses from H&M.
Marks & Spencer played with vintage, feminine styles and bold polka dot patterns – mimicking Stella McCartney’s now iconic A/W11 dresses and I fell in love with their black spotty tights. According to those in the know (Heyes) these are an exact match to the ones worn at Stella’s show. Another collection I fell in love with was French Connection. Tailoring, blazers, shorts suits, see left, and sheer blouses all played a part, offset by playful black bowler hats. Gone are the days of suggestive t-shirt slogans and instead the brand continues to do what it does best – sleek lines and grown up cuts.
I’m a big fan of River Island and seeing their interpretation of 70s glamour was exciting as it it ticked so many fashionable boxes; clashing prints, muted tones, shearling coats and Missoni style zig-zag designs. Kimono cover ups extended the oriental theme that carried us through S/S11 and on the menswear front River Island delivered chunky knit jumpers that would look equally at home under a Christmas tree or next to a campfire in the midwest.
I took what felt like a million photos at the show, some of which you can see below, the rest of which I’ll post tomorrow. Did you go to the show? If show share the love by telling me what A/W11 pieces you’re lusting after below…
Shows continue throughout the weekend but spaces are going fast so don’t forget to visit the BFW website for more info on show times and ticket prices. If you can’t make it check back here for more photos from the show.
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