Pyramids and coral reefs...Day 4 LFW

Something I have only just become aware of as I write this post is that Ada Zanditon is an ethical designer. The collection didn't have the 'ethical fashion' feel to it, whatever that is, which people often associate with being almost 'non-fashion'. I saw a show, Prophetik, another ethical brand, which did feel environmentally friendly (the grass on the catwalk, the weird folk band, the pot plants at the top of the catwalk!). But Zanditon's collection had no indicator of these values and felt modern and technically brilliant. The collection was titled 'The Pyramora' and was based on The Great Pyramid and the structures of coral reefs. When I read this, I was beginning to think it was a slightly random couple of things to throw together. Looking at pieces in the collection, the garments have been embellished with reefs of pyramids, which starts to make it more clever. The first couple of looks were simple, cute, A line dresses in a burnt orange and gold, not my cup of tea, but then it began to get more interesting.

There was something conceptual but wearable about the designs; the idea of the tesselation and the geommetry is simple but quite evidently works. The prints (not the best I've ever seen, but nice!) are of Zanditon's own photos of the coral reef, which have then been layered with illustrations creatively exploring both the interior and exterior of The Great Pyramid. The turquoise, black, burnt orange and cold all worked really well together. I kind of feel like if these had been done in a more monochromatic palette, there would have been a different feel. The colours are good!!

This was a particular highlight. Very simple, but the geommetric structure around the bust was amazing and sat well alongside the more flat geommetric creations. Note the shoes!

Note the styling with the conical hair.

This jacket kind of popped out of nowhere and was quite random, but as a look, probably my favourite. Note the sheer blouse; definite trend for next SS. I want this jacket!!

I feel that Zanditon has achieved something that Prophetik failed to in his ethical collection. The collection felt contemporary and relevant to what a modern woman may want to wear today, whether it is ethical or not. I felt that Prophetik partly relied on the fact it is ethical to carry through on its success. It will be interesting to see where both designers decide to take their environmentally friendly ideas next....

All images by Lauren Sanins