Day 4 at LFW introduced a far younger, more dynamic set of designers to my schedule.
In the TOPSHOP show space I saw girls grind at Nasir Mazhar‘s presentation. This raucous gaggle cussed, chatted on their mobile phones and slut-dropped as we the (more conservatively attired) onlookers encircled them like disapproving teachers chaperoning the school disco. If theirs was the cool crowd, I’m ok not fitting in. Bikini tops, skin tight mini skirts and quilted hot pants are just never going to work for this twenty-something-blogger.
Marques Almeida were unfortunate enough to be scheduled prior to the Burberry show, which meant the Topshop show space was rather sparse for their catwalk show. However, this fresh design duo did not disappoint those of us who were present.
Set to a soundtrack straight out of a noughties club, the show was injected with fun from the onset. The collection centred around the designers’ distinctive low slung baggy jeans paired with minuscule bandeau tops. Rainbow coloured gauze barely there dresses and shimmering sashes spruced up an otherwise tomboy-esque vibe. I particularly liked their kimono collared white and blue denim tops, which stood out amongst other frayed denim pieces. However, It was their cowhide coat that provided the centre piece for the collection, and struck the perfect balance between cowgirl and urbanite. 
KTZ pulled in the seriously hip crowd at their show at Somerset House. An eclectic crowd of drop-crotch wearing men wearing a lot of black and silver jewellery were scattered around the Courtyard space waiting to take to their seats – oh and me.
The KTZ collection drew on nomadic cultures and traditions and the impact they have on todays society. Wraps of sheer fabrics layered around the models bodies as they paraded down the runway. This was a collection of contrasts. With Eastern influence at the heart of the collection, garments were updated for a distinctly urban feel.
Black and silver reigned, with metal, mirrors and studs piercing fabrics, and clustering to create detailed shapes. These aggressive pieces differed from layers of breezy chiffons in dusty floral prints. Leather, plastic and silks wrapped and cocooned the models bodies to create harem trousers, sari-inspired skirts and burka designed dresses.
Traditional dress from the Middle East and central Asia were given a Western twist and a douse of KTZ’s distinct streetwear shapes – the burka-come-cap was the accessory du jour.
Despite a strong and empowering vibe, their were distinct feminine undertones at the heart of this collection. 
