Whilst I’m watching a show, a few things go through my head. Mainly mental notes about the styles, interjected with the occasional ‘oooooh’ when something shiny catches my eye. But as soon as I start having serious thoughts about how I’m going to snatch a dress from backstage post-show, I KNOW the collection is something special. Such was the case with Malan Breton’s striking ‘Omega’ collection for Autumn/Winter 2018, which I gleefully ogled over from my place in Freemason’s Hall.
Pointed armour-like shoulders, slick jet-black PVC, studded capes and rich, brocade-esque oriental patterning; you can’t get more sumptuously dramatic. And with themes of Chinese astrology, conquest, war, famine and death, it all tied together in one theatrical display of darkness.
Models marched down the catwalk in striking power suits – one of the big trends for next season, with Breton adding his twist with sharp accented armour-like shoulders. Waists were nipped in with belts and tailoring, and a male and female model walked down arm-in-arm showing off matching, rich-blue patterned suits, almost like robes, in androgynous unity.
There was PVC aplenty, and the shinier the better, especially when teamed with a pair of fishnets. Seductive knee-high boots and long gloves also made an appearance, and with a full-length bright orange PVC dress also hitting the catwalk, one message was clear – more is more.
So how else to close such a lavish show than a dark, caped bride, complete with black, decayed bouquet, and two chest-bearing males to carry her cape? Fabulous. Start stocking up on that PVC!
By Holly Earp
