Bright colours, flirty frills, pop tunes - Henry Holland's shows are always a coquettish, fun addition to the fashion calendar and this season was no exception. Holland’s candy pinks, lilacs and reds had returned for A/W 17, his familiar frills cascaded down mini dresses and across the chests of jumpsuits, and pop sensations Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton played overhead.
Show notes that read 'This ain’t her first rodeo', checkerboard prints and vinyl cowboy hats, implied that this season Holland was taking us to the deep South. Models donned cowboy boots that ranged from mule to ankle to thigh-high, each with their own pattern - flames, guitars, birds - and America’s red, white and blue was given a British twist with Holland’s signature tartan.
Considering the state of political affairs in America, some might say that it’s a little odd for designers to be turning to the 50 states for inspiration. In Holland’s case, this nod to Americana felt like a peppy punch of optimism in such dark times. Holland animated the stars and stripes with delicate Guipure lace, long Western fringing and oversized collars - as if to add a humorous interlude. A Woody Woodpecker capsule collaboration, seen as patches on denim jackets, bombers and varsity jumpers, was additional comedic relief.
Holland’s oversized velvet puffer jackets and hooded graphic mohair jumpers, while not entirely Americana, were both covetable and wearable. As too were the race-car inspired hoodies and dresses.
Wild with wacky prints and elevated with an American twang, for A/W 17 Holland did what he does best by giving us a charismatic, colourful collection that brings a smile to everyone’s face.