The Mulberry show at in the Claridges ballroom is always the highlight of London Fashion Week – not only for the first look at next season’s arm candy, but for its whimsical concepts, pampered pooches and pre-show treats.
Mulberry got the excitement started with the most luxurious invitation – an illustrated grey box filled with a gilded show invite and an adorable miniature tea cup and saucer, in collaboration with Wedgwood.
While the delicate tea cup is more suited to doll’s house tea parties, Mulberry offered a very English not-quite-afternoon tea of dainty sandwiches, strawberry tarts and mini Victoria sponge cakes, served on beautiful Wedgwood crockery.
Anna Wintour graced the front row, alongside top fashion editors and celebs including Alexa Chung, Lea Seydoux, Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Tallulah Harlech, Juno Temple and the ever charming Douglas Booth.
For Spring/Summer 2014, Mulberry looks to ‘le style Anglais’, referencing both Sixties London and the raffish elegance of the quintessential English country house. It’s familiar territory for the luxury heritage brand, however, the new collection has a fresh look that seems to focus more on cut and doesn’t shout that it’s Mulberry. Previous collections have given us gold hardware buckles and quirky peace sign buttons, which I personally love, but this does signal a more grown-up direction.
Currently fronting Mulberry’s Autumn/Winter 2013 campaign, Cara Delevingne opened and closed the show, looking fresh, glowing and demure. The SS14 looks is all about loose-luxe with comfy trapeze cut shirts and skirts, structured shift dresses, elegant pyjama-style silk trousers and button-up shirts and cropped wide leg trousers.
Like many SS14 designer collections at London Fashion Week, Mulberry’s colour palette is made up of soft neutrals such as cream, white, ballet pink and summer blue. Of course, there has to be a bit of typically British practicality so the optimistic summer colours are contrasted with a moody grey, midnight and fiery red.
As ever, Mulberry plays with texture, mixing silks and jacquard with sequins, smooth calf leather, calf hair and fine knits. The collection features a colourful abstract floral print, a light and summery monochrome floral print and cool bold stripes.
The bold stripe theme runs through to the accessories with the Bayswater and Willow Tote in mixed textures of calf leather and haircalf, or calf leather and nubuck.
The new Kensal collection features slim, folded clutches and shoulder bags with a traditional briefcase lock, available in all of the season’s colours and a pretty floral print. I’m particularly lusting over the stunning Lizzie platform sandals – mix of soft leather straps and floral jacquard heels.
Of course, the Mulberry show wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from a posh pet. This chic canine is Turbo the Mulberry mascot, who trotted out twice wearing floral print dog coats. He was snapped on Twitter smooching Cara backstage – clearly there were two stars of the show!
It was also an emotional farewell for Creative Director Emma Hill, who turned Mulberry into the covetable, global brand that it is today. The next chapter of the Mulberry story is set to be an interesting one.
Hear what the guests have to say about the show…
Are you loving the Mulberry SS14 collection? Which look is your favourite?
Photos by Mulberry (invitation by Chérie City)
For more information, visit: www.mulberry.com
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