London Calling

“I always wanted to live a man’s life in a woman’s body.”- Diane von Furstenberg

She is a worldly woman navigating through London…with the sex appeal of a Marianne Faithfull-era Mick Jagger, the wit of Oscar Wilde, and the dandy aesthetics of Dorian Gray. She embodies the advantages of a man, with the singularly feminine powers of a woman.

She strolls through the markets of Portobello Road, in body conscious silhouettes in inky blues, sandy neutrals, and true reds; chocolate browns and acid yellows. She is tough, but has a softness about her, in leather leggings and Chantilly lace minis, structured knits and Biba-esque dresses. She pairs a chiffon blouse with bells sleeves with a sharp short suit and a bold, animal print Lytton minaudière. She gives feminine dresses à la Ossie Clark a sophisticated edge with a sleek 440 Envelope clutch. She commands a dramatic cut-out dress and the ultimate printed coat.

As she makes her way to Mayfair, funky bohemian dresses give way to a more sophisticated aesthetic and revisited men’s prints, like graphic tweeds and classic black and white, which play out perfectly on the season’s On the Go tote. Coats with unexpected details are tailored to perfection, Savile Row style, in rich burgundy and fine camel. Jacquards have a modern twist. Prints are aristocratic with surprising lace details; an abstract Chain Link recalls the hallowed halls of parlours past.

Now she is a lady holding court in a posh gentlemen’s club. Her body does the talking in sleek, sculpted dresses in novelty fabrications. She stands tall in a narrow, soft suit with the structured 440 Tote, balancing perfectly the tension between masculine and feminine.

By: Itziar Arriola H.