Striking a chord with fashion’s lovers and dreamers, Anna Sui took a trip back in time with a romantic, heavily referential collection that might have stepped straight off the streets of late sixties London. A floral headpiece clad Karen Elson kicked off the show to the dreamlike sounds of The Beatles 'The Inner Light' donning sheer floral-print layers and offering a wink and smile to friend and fellow Citizens Band mate, Sarah Sophie Flicker, sitting front row. Offering menswear for the first time in many seasons, luminous fresh-faced wavy-haired guys and girls hit the catwalk in pairs, layered in soft, shimmering lurex shirts and dresses, fringed shawls and cardigans, and suede and velvet pants, jackets and skirts. Colours were rosy and golden as though drenched in sunlight, creating the effect of a radiant summer garden at twilight.
It was an unapologetically more-is-more affair, with almost every look combining multiple elements including prints and detailed embroidery, beading, fringing, feathers and sheer flowing fabrics alongside rich velvet and leather, piled on top of one another for maximum retro effect. While an element of grunge unexpectedly crept in partway through the show as hoodies toughened up sweet shift dresses, the collection was unmistakably devoted to flower children – and judging by the front row of dollybird fans in 60s dresses, it hit the right psychedelic note.
