A Fragrant Catwalk Blooming in a Post-Rain Garden

The London Collection Spring/Summer 2014 has begun. While London is always abuzz with the debut of new designers each season, established houses also maintain a strong presence. Burberry Prorsum is one such stalwart. It has become an indispensable main brand of the London Collection, organized by the British Fashion Council (BFC).





The venue, as always, was a specially erected glass-enclosed tent in Kensington Gardens. Just before the show began, heavy raindrops pounded fiercely against the glass walls. It was such a downpour that one might have thought the show would be cancelled, but soon the blue sky peeked through, and the show commenced. What emerged were dresses in pastel hues, reminiscent of spring flowers in full bloom. It was a fragrant catwalk, inspired by English roses.





Victorian-inspired Nottingham lace, with its square motifs, created a sharp I-line silhouette without being overly sweet. Dresses in lavender, melon green, and sheer pink lace were paired with double-faced cashmere coats, worn casually. Trench coat styles gently enveloped the body.





The clutch bags carried by the models were "petal bags" made of rubber, adorned all over with floral motifs. These are the bags you'll want to carry at the first sign of spring. Petals seemed to dance down from the blue sky for the finale. It was a collection enveloped in the gentleness of spring.