RICH in colour and flowing in fit, Richard Malone opens London Fashion Week with a vivid collection of styling described as the “the complete opposite of modernity”. Straying from the bandwagon and starting from scratch, Malone constructs the ready-to-wear runway with an abundance of green, yellow and blue hues.
A mood board of visuals taken from the designer’s personal journeys makes for a unique brainstorm of concepts from the discount stores in Ireland to London’s Piccadilly tube line. As block colouring dominates the SS18 show, the sculpture and shapes are of most importance, reaching back to ancient tailoring being key. The grouping of influences becomes innovative and showcases true, fresh talent.
As Malone makes it his mission to enhance feminity through hand-weaved fabrics from South India, the loose looks are dramatic, impactful and completely functional. The elegance of a pair of evening gloves splashed with supermarket stripes is exemplary of Malone’s rebelliousness which makes him all the more intriguing. Keen to assert “this is not glamour”, he demonstrates energy through fashion and the tone is completely relevant for the modern women.
by Joseph Furness