LFW Diary AW12: Dans La Vie

 

Similar to last season the Dans La Vie show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout was awash with print, in a variety of golden and summery shades, adding welcome colour to a season that can on occasion have a tendency to be muted.

 

Inspired by an 'Exciting Encounter' of 1960s Pop Art and the spiritual character of a Japanese high priest, 'Kukai', Rira Sugawara's AW12 offering was mysterious, playful and infectious all in the same instance. I particularly loved the oversized faux-fur collars and statement hoods.

 

A short and sweet showcase, models didn't hang around, pounding down the catwalk in heels by sustainable and ethical label Finsk. Kooky plastic headpieces by Riitta added a welcome variety of block colour. According to the press release the collection 'suggests a new way of popism'. I'm not sure I entirely understand, but whatever it is, I like it!

LFW Diary SS12: Dans La Vie

A show I was unexpectedly invited to, Dans La Vie are a brand that ashamedly before SS12, I wasn’t too familiar with, however after seeing their beautiful colour-infused collection I’ve seen the light!

 

Held in the resplendent upstairs gallery of Freemasons Hall, for their second collection shown in London, Dans La Vie’s My Pop Madonna continues to play with a theme centred on clashing prints and colours, seeing the SS12 offering deeply inspired by Tokyo in the aftermath of March 2011’s devastating earthquakes.

Split into four sub-sections, My Pop Madonna was divided by four anthems, fittingly Madonna’s Like A Prayer opened the show, Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black and Rihanna’s Only Girl came next with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way making for a great finale packed with attitude.

 

I think what I love most about this collection is twofold. Firstly, the repetition of the iconic Virgin Mary iconography is inspired, and I also love the printed raincoats and pleated balloon skirts which had been laminated with a thin plastic, to make them both waterproof and super shiny.