Amelia’s Magazine | Bernhard Chandran: London Fashion Week S/S 2013 Catwalk Review

Bernard Chandran by Claire Kearns
Bernard Chandran S/S 2013 by Claire Kearns.

Bernhard Chandran showed his S/S 2013 collection in the upper rooms of Freemasons’ Hall: my least favourite catwalk venue as the lighting can be so very tricky to take decent photos.

Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
Chandran‘s trademark timeless elegance was channeled into a collection based on the dualistic nature of love. In garment form this found its expression in a series of outfits that seemed one thing from the front and quite often totally different when viewed from the back. This was cleverly achieved through the use of different fabrics, lengths and cuts.

Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
The show opened with a series of textured white dresses, some austere, others embellished, satin-ised, or worn with trench coat styled sleeve detailing and front panels. Heavily cinched hourglass waists happily co-existed with flared shifts, and a white swing dress with arm cut outs and large capped sleeves screamed sexy nurse, as did tabard like front flaps tied tight like hospital aprons.

Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
Winged eye make up used to accentuate the brows echoed a jagged zebra print, and a cute sequinned triangle print was manipulated into multiple design forms: shorts suit, blouse, more elegant dresses. Bubblegum pink turned to reveal a stunning cobalt blue back panel encrusted with gold beads, whilst silky deep aubergine offered an alternative summer colourway. Continuing on a seasonal theme plasticised dress coats were accessorised with large plastic totes that would be perfect on the beach.

Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
Bernhard Chandran SS 2013 photography by Amelia Gregory
Bernhard Chandran S/S 2013. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

In this super long show there were probably a few too many iterations of key shapes, the patchwork cut and paste feel applied to every possible fabric combination and colourway, but at least this will ensure that watching buyers will be able to choose from every conceivable garment form.

Bernard Chandran S/S 2013 by Geiko Louve
Bernard Chandran S/S 2013 by Geiko Louve.

Categories ,Bernhard Chandran, ,Claire Kearns, ,Freemasons’ Hall, ,Geiko Louve, ,S/S 2013

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