Inspiring London venues for showcasing fashion design talent

Viewing new designer collections in inspiring London venues adds to the excitement and allure of the whole experience. 

Komodo

J.C Middlebrook

Belt by Black and Brown London

The Catwalk Edit event which took place at the start of this season’s London Fashion Week which finished last Thursday was once again staged at the historical Chelsea Old Town Hall on the celebrated King’s Road.  

Price Eco Design

It boasts of atmospheric event halls with original oil paintings, marble columns, chandeliers and marbled floors that form the perfect setting for the organisers to present some 60 brands and to stage eight catwalk shows during the one-day event.  

Against the grand setting, the atmosphere was kept casual and relaxed, with designer garment racks and display tables set up around a catwalk allowing visitors meet designers and view their new ranges in a unique atmosphere.

Founder of The Catwalk Edit, Joseph Bachman, comments “We are again pleased with the positive response from brands, retailers and press.  Our aim is to source great brands from around the world to kick-off LFW in style and for these talented designers’ to have an opportunity to showcase their collections in our fashion capital.”

Quoi Alexander

Fashion Scout presented a host of award-winning Ones to Watch and emerging designers at their habitual venue at the Freemasons’ Hallset on Great Queen Street between Covent Garden and Holborn.  In classic art deco style, Freemasons is the HQ of United Grand Lodge of England featuring imposing bronze doors weighing over one tonnes, and mosaic work on ceiling cove.  

Minju Kim - One To Watch

Angel Chen - One To Watch

James Kelly - Merit Award Winner

Robert Wun

Clio Pepplatt

Left and above, Minju Kim

This season, among the designers on show at Fashion Scout was Holly Jayne Smith presented by the British Council as seen below, showcasing her latest collection, a result of a one-month long stint last November in Casablanca hosted by the Moroccan Casa Moda Association  of Fashion Design.  Holly, a graduate of Birmingham City University, was winner of the Graduate Fashion Week International Residency Award in June 2014.

 

Inspired by the colours of Morocco, Holly Jayne Smith's new collection features Moroccan hand-made metal ornaments and rich brocade fabrics.

London-trained (Central St. Martin) Chinese designer Shao Yen had opted for the 260-year-old RSA House at John Adam Street as shown below.    RSA stands for the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Art Manufactures and Commerce. 

 The Great Room of the RSA shown above provided Georgian splendour to showcase Shao Yen’s team of models who stood on low pillars to allow visitors to preview the ensembles in close proximity.  Natural light filtered down from the domed glass ceiling illuminate the huge celebrated paintings including The Progress of Human Knowledge by James Barry, creating also an intimate setting.

Meanwhile the ME London Hotel on The Strand in the heart of the West End and two minutes from Somerset House was the venue chosen by a number of young designers and brands.

Above and below, Vielma's Dark Tales at the ME London Hotel 

Here at the main elegant semi-circular entrance of the contemporary cutting-edge hotel designed by Fosters and Partners was Vielma London’s Dark Tales AW15/16 collection.

All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.