Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair offered an inviting, balmy atmosphere for the showcase of Issa’s Pre A/W 2014 collection, exhibited today in the rococo Roosevelt room, a welcome salvation from the chilly streets of London.
The invigorating, fluid modernity marked a sure-fire success when set against the calming ambience of Brown’s, and indeed the gleeful collection, compliments of newly appointed creative director Blue Farrier, carried a playful, distinctly English, charm; subtle yet defiant, redolent of Farrier’s London origins.
The capital locale inspiration is aberrantly transfused into the lively calligraphic Park Lane and Mayfair prints, dominating the ritzy dresses, light shirts and snappy, sinuous scarves, illustrating that Farrier, who has found a comfortable fit at Issa, shows no qualms in envisioning the evolution of the brand, following on from stellar work at Chloé, Stella McCartney and Anya Hindmarch.
The luxe, inoffensive gaiety of the label has been interpreted wonderfully, and permitted, the unapologetic nature is given a rousing boost when considering plays on signature wrap dresses, suited with roll necks, cotton-candy angoras and striking printed polka-dots aplenty, juxtaposed with the somewhat eccentric colour palette, hinging on unadulterated fun, ranging from soft blushes and shady nudes, offset by deep shades of fuchsia, eye-catching emeralds and brilliant, almost sinful gold.
Lush Issa layering and enchanting bugle bead embellishments take the sumptuous cake, alongside a scattering of intriguing, whimsically detailed lithograph prints, and no less does a blazing salmon kaftan, on course to lavish some spice upon the sun-drenched beaches of Capri, foretell that Issa will continue to intuit its integrity.
by Liam Feltham