London fashion week kicked off yesterday with a show by London based designer Bora Aksu.
The Turkish designer with a penchant for decadent eveningwear put together a show featuring his signature cocktail dresses and flattering silhouettes.
Floor-sweeping chiffon gowns in bright hues of sunshine yellow and fuchsia featured alongside structured minidresses which were nipped in at the waist and accentuated at the hips.
Contrast was also key. Geometric lace and handmade crochet added texture to delicate silk tulle while cotton knits were plasticised for a high shine finish.
But there was daywear too. Aztec print blouses finished with tasselled hems were teamed with handkerchief skirts and floral brocade shorts, while a-line daydresses were cut from layers of airy cotton.
Having set up his eponymous label after graduating from Central Saint Martins prestigious MA degree in 2002, Aksu is now celebrating his 10th year showing on the official schedule - a fact which compelled the designer to reference the rich culture of his homeland for his latest collection.
As Aksu explains: "When I realised that this would be my tenth year at London Fashion Week, it struck how long it has been since I left Turkey to come to study in the UK. It propelled me to reminisce and look back at my roots."
Patterns and textures from traditional Iznik ceramic tiles featured heavily on pencil skirts and cropped jackets using handwoven Turkish textiles, while the opening colour palette was centred around the glass blue and off-white from the Evil Eye Bead, traditionally worn in Turkey to ward off evil.
