Laura Atkinson
SCHOOL DAZE
We all have a story to tell about our own school uniforms, whether it is the pleated skirt that. “must be worn to the knee” or the unflattering, itchy blazer in an unsightly shade of brown; whatever we wore, we speak fondly of these memories with a smile and sentimental reminiscence.
School Daze is a luxury Autumn Winter 17 Womenswear collection inspired by school uniforms past and present. It is fun and feminine with a nostalgic naivety. The silhouettes in the collection are simplistic and clean. Incorporating the typical a-line shapes of the time-honoured pinafore paired with the minimalistic yet statement shapes that were parallel to the fashions of the sixties.
The bold prints that are used in the collection are also inspired by the sixties and are an amalgamation of the graphic designs of designers such as Mary Quant and the emblematic school gingham check. The printing techniques use also echo the childlike school quality through their tactile characteristics. The colour palette is inspired by the quintessential school shades, bottle green, white, navy and sky blue which have been combined with the colour that every infant school girl would want her uniform to be... pink! Fabrications play an important role in the collections playfulness, taking the classic shirting and woollen gaberdine and blending it with more contemporary and unexpected fabrics such as lambs napa and fur. Laser cutting and embroidery create an unexpected twist on the school essentials such as monogramed school badges and blazer details. The overall feel of the collection is lighthearted luxury; it is girly with an edge and would sit along side competitors such as Vivetta, Orla Kieley and Miu Miu.