Eager show-goers lined the streets today as Apu Jan, perhaps Fashion Scout’s hottest ticket of London Fashion Week, debuted his AW16 collection at the Freemasons Hall in London. Inside, the venue was packed full, testament to the excited buzz surrounding Apu Jan, the Taiwan talent known for knitwear.
Previous collections have garnered the designer praise for his consistency and restraint, something often lacking in a young designer. For AW16, Apu Jan showed once again that he can carry a beautiful show based on attention to detail rather than avant-garde showmanship.
A fuchsia asymmetric knit sweater paired with a fuzzy salmon skirt was lightly elegant, whilst a black dress with a double strap top and reverse shirt collar motioned to a playful sexiness. A baby-blue coat with a light floral pattern, caped over a navy knit, and a matching pencil skirt brought an edge of versatility to the shift-dress heavy show.
Dungarees in the same fabric worn with nothing underneath and a cream crochet hat plonked on top, seen throughout the collection as a sort of whimsical trademark, dissuaded anyone who dare wonder as to the modern relevance of the looks.
The designer was met with rapturous applause (with a rare encore for more) for a show that arguably defined the importance of London’s NewGen talent. As I left I spotted Tony Glenville, the high priest of style, who had the perfect summary not only for the collection, but for Apu Jan’s unwavering consistency, “His shows are so clean and calm. At every fashion show, there is always that one moment where you go “oh God, what were they thinking”? With Apu Jan’s shows, that has never happened yet.”
by Thomas Marrington