D for Dot

The entire fashion industry has been caught up in a live-streaming frenzy for quite some time now, but Burberry Prorsum‘s is the only one that I tune in to religiously. If you didn’t managed to catch the British heritage brand’s runway show late last night, it is now on demand on their website. As usual, the event is done up in classic Christopher Bailey style – in other words, saturated with his unique vision of the Londoner’s cool.

Perhaps Tim Blanks says it best: the collection is about Bailey’s ongoing fascination with casually gilded youth.There is always a deep sense of luxury when it comes to Burberry, but in the hands of Bailey, the young ones take center-stage. It is curious and exciting how successfully he has managed to harness the opposing forces that he has been presented with – the charming old world brand and the desires of the demanding 21st century youth. The results are often an interpretation of a new luxe that strives to be relevant in a world that is increasingly dressed down; clothes that caters to those of us who faithfully chase that elusive ‘effortless chic’. I guess that’s why we love him.

Bailey has always been brilliant at creating shapes that make people sit up and take notice. For Fall/Winter 2012, he neaten up the top with cropped puffy jackets and blew the bottom out of proportions with rounded hips and peplums. In terms of styling, the girlie bow belt is seen on every outfit while woodland animal motifs make regular appearances. My personal favourites include the broad coloured stripes, the studded gloves and the cute owl t-shirts tucked into prim over-the-knees pencil skirts. The outerwear, as always, is immaculate but not at all boring.

After a few seasons where Bailey closed the show with rain and models strutting out with brollies, one will think that such dramatics should be getting old. But it really isn’t.

[More looks from Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2012 are on my Facebook.]