LONDON FASHION WEEK, JASPER CONRAN: PRETTY IN PLIMSOLLS

What Jasper Conran just showed us was nothing short of sophisticated, cool, simple, crisp, laid-back and breezy.

Taking inspiration from easy, girly, beach side summers in the 1950s, with the added oomph of a 1960s lady, Conran created a look that's fresh and immensely pretty, successfully avoiding being too saccharine.

The show kicked off with monochrome prints, stripes and op-art zigzags, or clean block contrasts in a paired down nautical style. The plain white dress and black cardi combo, with that black hat, is the epitome of easy elegance and yet so striking. There's a black blazer for the odd cool night, and the softest swathe of a silk layer in the form of a grey check print shift dress.

MONOCHROME MAGIC

 

 

And then came all the colours, all the fruity pastel shades of lavender, orange, yellow, lime, peach, reminding you of haute confectionery ice cream creations, served with cream or chocolate. Sheer prints were exquisite, too. There were stripes, gingham check, seaside motifs, retro florals, with soft touches for details such as pussybows, a corsage, ruffles, belts, contrast piping or a turned up sleeve.

As for shapes, this delicate collection is like a journey through time in the life of someone important in our lives. 1950s full skirted sundresses and prom dresses with little cardis, shorts with sweatshirts, and a floral shirt dress would surely have made that 1950s summer a perfectly girly and giggly one.

Fast forward a decade, and the somewhat boxier shaped shift dresses, straight and A-line pieces, monochrome prints and spectacular hats would have introduced us to the picture perfect 1960s lady.

Confession time - two things I'm taking with me. First, that the purest white plimsolls actually go with everything. And second, while I am not the kind of girl to carry these looks off, I would sure take a private lesson to learn how to do that - looking at all the amazing dresses, I think this little gem of a collection makes such an effort worthwile.

FIFTIES TO SIXTIES

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Runway stills: vogue.co.uk