PHOEBE ENGLISH | FALL / WINTER 2012

The London fashion scene’s brightest rising star, Phoebe English, created a sombre yet exciting collection for her first solo show. Having exploded into fashion consciousness with her brave use of experimental fabrics (her debut collection used hair as its most prominent material), English continued her forays into super-modern clothing this season with sand-washed viscose, wet PU and knitwear woven from pairs of tights.

A collection of dresses and skirts almost entirely in black (with the exception of a few looks in fuchsia), English’s Fall / Winter aesthetic is feminine but tough. Hemlines are angular, with panels of translucent plastic turning nipped waists into modern armour. There is also a strong emphasis on detailing, with an elongated armhole, cut away back or slashed neckline providing all the difference to these garments.

A collection said to be inspired by the way English chooses her own clothing, these pieces examine the way fabrics and cuts interact with one another, providing an in-depth study into the crucial technical workings behind the garments we often take for granted. A highly anticipated collection and one which does not disappoint.

- Zoe Dickens