London Fashion Week: Christian Blanken AW12

After a very un-fashiony krispy kreme with LFW Editor Faye, we got to flash our press tickets and bypass the queues to take our seats for Christian Blanken. Particular mention must be given to the cheeky photographer with a particularly booming voice declare "Uncross your legs, ladies. This is a fashion show!". The majority, assuming this was a health and safety regulation, immediately obeyed as the photography pit erupted into a fit of stifled giggles. The drama later continued as a model managed to catch her heel in her dress and narrowly avoided face planting the floor. Bravo!

In stark contrast to my previous post featuring Inbar Spector, Christian Blanken.is all about classic and elegant simplicity. Always aiming for items with a loose sportswear theme, these aren’t outfits for the gym. Instead Blanken focuses on creating a look based on sportswear cuts and shapes whilst ensuring items remain sleek, chic and wearable. Once again, the AW12 collection saw Blanken’s signature minimalist style reworked with fur trims, intricate draping, colour blocking and yet more metallics to jazz up straight trousers and simple dresses into the eveningwear category.

Structured slip dresses in pillar box red and tangerine were set against flowing draped black, grey and brown floor length pieces, followed by fur lined ponchos and funnel neck tunics. Statement pieces such as the high shine brown jacket and metallic jumpsuits were an attention grabber whilst other looks focussed on layering and loose satin drapes.  Simple blocks of neutral whites need no frills as the beautiful fit and tailoring stands out without assistance. Sleek, straight hair and smoky eyes again lifted the outfits from day to night.

Understated and elegant, this is by far the most sophisticated and feminine sportswear out there. I wouldn’t ruin it with treadmill sweat if I were you.

 

On to the next!

C. x