BURBERRY AW14 REVIEW

Arriving at the picturesque surroundings of Kensington Gardens, Burberry Prorsum’s AW14 guests were greeted by a watercolour backdrop of the London skyline – an instant reminder of the label’s British heritage. This painterly aesthetic was reflected on the runway, which opened with a myriad of lace and chiffon dresses in expressionist floral prints. Elegantly draped and layered fabrics were cinched at the waist and complemented with distinguishable hand-painted leather accessories. The label’s hallmark trench coats grounded the (somewhat unexpected) romanticism of the first half, re-worked in fluid silhouettes and printed with artistic brush-strokes.

As the show evolved, so did the theme, with heavier fabrics introduced in the second half. Shearling coats, knitted scarves and a darker, somewhat more mysterious colour palette nodded to an Aztec influence. Fall was in full swing. Spring’s highly coveted sheer lace skirts were re-imagined in rich burgundy, gold and black hues, and the runway played host to the label’s signature faces. Suki Waterhouse, Jourdan Dunn and Malika Firth were led (naturally) by Cara Delevingne. Live music from Paloma Faith, Ed Harcourt and Rhodes set the tone, and the front row was characteristically littered with familiar celebrity faces; Bradley Cooper, Tinie Tempah and Harry Styles creating almost as much hype as the collection itself.

For the icing on the cake, Christopher Bailey dressed his models in personalised blankets, boldly embroidered with their initials. Walking as one for the finale, the beautiful Burberry tribe created a lasting impact. Could this be the season’s trophy piece?