A/W 22 Fashion Print Runway Favs

It’s not a normal Wednesday, I open my Instagram and the first thing I am inundated with, is images from the Ukraine war, interrupted by images of my usual feed of beautiful homes interiors, fashion and earthly delights. I feel sickened by the contrast and a little helpless -though I can recommend following Olia Hercules for ways to support Ukraine.

It feels odd as a designer, to just be ‘getting on with things’ whilst the world is in turmoil, I struggle to be present in my own work. But I have to remind myself that there is a power in creativity. It brings beauty, strength and a little bit of happiness to people’s lives and sometimes it can do more than that. Sometimes it can be used to make a statement that encourages us to think beyond the aesthetic.

Watching the Fall/Winter 22 Balenciaga show, was a clear demonstration of this.

Balenciaga’s Creative Director Demna Gvasalia is a child refugee himself, at the age of 10 he fled war in Georgia in 1993, and went to school in Ukraine. Demna decided to open the show by reciting a Ukrainian poem, showing solidarity for his Ukrainian allies, and the show took on a whole new meaning. Initially, the stage was set within a cylindrical ‘snow globe’, as a metaphor for climate change, but on the day, it reflected more of an apocalyptic scene of refugees; the displaced models endlessly circling the snowy floor, struggling forward as the snow whips them at an angle, carrying loaded burdened bags.

A creative like Demna, is a modern and unique force, whose creativity goes beyond ‘what’s cool’. Yes, it whips the hip socialites into a frenzy of consumerism but I feel like we are in an age, where art and fashion have become a platform for voices, and those voices are now getting heard faster and louder. Which I hope, benefits us for a better future as we listen and try to make a change in our own little way.

But alas, I digress, I should really also do a shout out of my favourite prints from the A/W22 shows. So here we go:

Richard Quinn

Roses are definitely not red, I love the head to toe smattering of vintage rose prints in pop colours.

Greedilous by Tilda

From a print design perspective it was a treat for the eyes seeing these bold electric colourways, digital blurry florals amassing head-to-toe.

Louis Vuitton

I feel like one of the key looks this season, is collaging. A lot of brands are mish-mashing sportwear with feminine styles and reinventing prints by juxtaposing digital and vintage. Louis Vuitton does this so well, whilst still keeping on brand, I especially love that Annie Hall look worn by Jung Ho-Yeon!

Marine Serre

I think if anyone is encapsulating what the fashion crowd want, it’s Marine Serre’s hedonistic and polished deconstruction of tartans, feminine camo, chintz and dark graphics. That contrast is a playground for statement dressing for AW22.

Acne & Holzweiler

After living in Scandinavia, I started valuing the need for minimalism and quality in my life. Whether that was by getting lost in the woods of Norway and feeling my primitive self in a cabin with no running water and TV (or pub!?), or by buying really good quality denim; respecting the price tag and wanting longevity, by simply valuing and caring for your clothes. Something I think the British and their antiquated and eccentric ways are only just starting to understand. The understated ways of Scandinavian creativity, leads them in valuing the bigger picture; nature, sustainability and luxury goods at a reasonable price. High end mixed with janteloven ideology it seems.

I love how brands like Acne and Holzweiler are understatedly cool, combining earthy print textures, modern fabric treatments and a respect for streetwear, making it more artisanal and contemporary, what’s not to love?

Lemaire

Lemaire has this ability to make prints understated, artisanal and rich, combined with the relaxed utilitarian wear, I want to wear everything!

Sea NY & Ulla Johnson

My bohemian part of me, will always love these two brands and their way of reigniting vintage patterns, embroidery and creating the most wearable feminine pieces.

All images sourced from Vogue.co.uk and holzweileroslo.com