London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 Pre-Collections

The London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 pre-collections are now available to view online at the LFW website. From Basso and Brooke to Roksanda Ilincic, you now can take a sneak peek at what will be showcased in September.

So what are the trends and themes that are highlighted in the collections?

Color is a strong trend, which follows on from last season, as well as metallic’s which are more refined and sleek. The bright bold and sharp day-glo primary color palette of Basso and Brook, and Matthew Williamson, against the glassy metallic’s of Burberry Prorsum and Erdem Moralioglu are pure eye candy.

The tactile nature of the collections is apparent through the use of tightly woven brocade featured in Giles and the silk printed kaftan’s featured by Issa London. Muted nudes in chiffon and silk jersey are also featured which contrast with hues of midnight blue and peppermint red, as seen in Osman and Richard Nicoll.

The shapes of the garments fluidly evolve from last season into a range of wearable silhouettes. Richard Nicoll’s collection is all about highlighting the legs and shoulders with loose drapery and oversized shirts. Christopher Kane’s silhouettes (who’s models are also following the no eyebrow trend) however are almost verging on grunge with hardly any structure or finishing’s at all. This resonates with Jonathan Saunders collection, which features a signature style of Chris Kane – contrasts prints and textiles that are so wrong its right.

Burberry Prorsum who returns to London after showing in Milan for the past few years, unveils a twist on their icon, the trench - in silk which is draped and ruched - it adds a fresh take on the classic cut. The theme of Burberry is very dressed up, sharp tailoring with loose feminine silk jerseys and blanched tweed jackets is a leap from the rainy day washed out silk chiffon drop waist dresses and fishermen’s hats we saw in S/S 09.

The muted hues and demure nature of Emilio de la Morena’s collection features tight cut pencil esque lantern skirts with delicately draped necklines. The mixture of ochre and browns is almost wartime esque and adds sharpness to the sensuality of the silks and satins.

The only collection that hints at a trend of structure is Roksanda Ilincic. The garments almost leap off the body, as they are twisted and folded to curve round the contours of the figure as if becoming one with the body. This compares with the heavy draped maxi skirts and dresses of the collection that are teamed with sharp yet oversized blazers.

So what are the key pieces and looks?

As far as I can see the graphic rainbow prints of Basso and Brook are going to be big, simply because they are gorgeous to look at. This trend is also featured by Peter Jensen, who takes on the graphic print but in a more childish yet subtle way.

The shirt is defiantly going to be a wardrobe staple of Spring Summer 2010, as it features in numerous collections whether tucked into the loose yet sharply cut trousers of Burberry, elongated as a dress by Richard Nicoll or tightly cut by Basso and Brooke.

A trend that has filtered down to the high street already, the blazer jacket, is going to be everywhere as it is a massive look at Burberry Prorsum and a contrasting element at Roksanda Ilincic. Currently being sold in various high street stores and seen on various celebrities the jacket is here to stay.

The structure pinned in lantern style pencil skirt is defiantly going to be in your Summer wardrobe. It’s demure but also fierce and sexy, and can be worn formally or socially. Seen at Roksanda and Emilio de la Morena.

The final key piece is the loose dress. Whether trapeze, flare or bubble it features in Giles, Richard Nicoll and Chris Kane. A style for everyone this look is the antithesis of body con, which is still a hot trend after being launched in 2006.

View the collections here.

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