TOPSHOP UNIQUE SEPTEMBER 2016 WOMEN’S COLLECTION – LONDON FASHION WEEK

TOPSHOP Unique’s girl continues her art school mix from last season, taking inspiration from daring visual artist Linder Sterling and the heyday of London’s fashion markets in the eighties. A time when individualism roared through the city to the soundtrack of punk and New Wave at the iconic venues Camden Palace and Blitz. From the black hole of the recessionary seventies, an age of rocketing unemployment burst a passionately tribal youth culture that was to create an era of hedonistic good times and a flair for exhibitionism. Think clubbing not reserved for Saturday night – the club was a scene, with individual style and way of life. Anybody could be a somebody.

The refined presence of the demure 1950s takes prominence with rounded shapes; seductive off-the-shoulder silhouettes and fuchsia cocoon coats, offset with edgy lingerie references that dance between ladylike underpinnings and Camden Ballroom anarchy in the eighties. Black sheer gauze separates provoke with strategically placed floral embroideries, and delicate bra-tops sit with high-waisted cigarette trousers. The palette bounces from couture-pretty dandelions and primrose, to hardcore scarlets and hothouse fuchsia. All grounded by hearty salt and pepper tweed – playing to the tomboyish sensibility and a love of heritage, all united by his insouciant Brit girl.

The grandeur of bygone clothes, that could have been discovered on a lucky vintage trawl, take subversive new meaning with the cool girls’ armoury – oversized western and utility shirts and boilers suits tied low over the hips. By evening, a feminist and proud take on the LBD arrests. Body-con and spliced to the thigh, or in ballerina length tulle, dresses are banded by slick bondage tape. She can’t be censored, even on the red carpet. The gloss patent accents are nothing short of ‘atomic’.

Music inspires this stylish magpie; vinyl or Spotify, New Wave black vinyl pencil skirts and arrestingly bright punky knits prevail. Decked in a bouquet of surrealist flowers, this English rose is never precious – by day her roses are silk prints, but as night falls appliqué and exquisite flowers bring seductive glamour.
The thrill of the new has never come so fast, spirited and cool.
Key pieces will be available to purchase online immediately and at the Unique pop-up shop in the TOPSHOP Showspace.