RAW and effortless, Marques Almeida is always a show to be looked forward to, and the SS20 show for LFW matched the anticipation. Portuguese designers and Central Saint Martins graduates, Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida, launched the brand in April 2011 in response to the growing market for everyday, high-end fashion. Popular with the younger consumer who wants high fashion with a cooler edge, Marques Almeida is made for the eclecticism of LFW.
The Marques Almeida aesthetic evokes a sense of adolescent freedom combined with formidable silhouettes cut into a variety of luxe materials, including leather and satin. Looks were made ethereal with stripped back faces and dark lips, or a fiery red over the eyelid.
The collection was all about dimensions and colour (or lack of). Voluminous ruffles and oversized satin coats contrasted with long, flowing materials which clung to the body. Colour blocking in black, blue and pink was a recurring feature, along with a patchwork newspaper style look, which was incorporated into skirts, dresses and a suit.
by Alicia Pountney