TRIBAL PRINCESS

Tribal Gathering by Karen

One might normally expect a more sombre palette of colours to grace the London catwalks at this time of the year, but last week LFW was awash with a sea of colours from the likes of Holly Fulton, Basso and Brook and Louise Gray…. to name a few.

Transcending the vibrant colours and beautiful prints, a strong ethnic and tribal theme was seen running through a few collections this season. 

Design duo Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton from Australian label Sass and Bide www.sassandbide.com, were one of the brands to kick start LFW, and gave us a very elegant take on tribal.

With barely an acknowledgement of winter, Sass and Bide’s collection of vibrant magentas, fuchsia pink and fluro colours were enough to make us all wish we were somewhere far warmer than London’s Embankment!

Bold ikat and displaced checked prints ran through the collection, making what might ordinarily have been a bit too “Maasai warrior” for some, into a cool, urban and sassy take on tribal aesthetic.

Complimenting each look, chunky jewellery and cool fez style hats gave the collection an added twist and provided further cultural referencing, reiterated by the duo stating that “ The deliberately mixed aesthetic draws on a myriad of traditions and cultures that culminate in a bold and instinctive collection,”

I loved this collection, it was daring and refreshing and a big “WHATEVER” to the normal sombre palette that we see at this time of the year.

We also saw a slight tribal influence running through Peter Pillotto’s collection this season with both his choice of his prints and layered shapes.

Pillotto’s take on tribal was far more refined and a strong tailored element brought a much more grown up dimension to his clothes.

If going  “tribal” is for you this season, the biggest dilemma you may face is whether you are a tribal warrior or perhaps a princess!