London Fashion Week: The top 5 trends developing for Spring 2016

Date September 22, 2015

Erdem Spring 2016 — Photography by Peter Stigter

London Fashion Week Spring 2016 may be over, but the Brits are proving yet again that they are a force to be reckoned with. It was an important season for many: Jonathan Saunders was under the magnifying glass after inheriting a new investor, with all eyes were on him to see what direction his collection would take. J.W. Anderson took the approach of doing what felt right, whether or not it made sense in the eye of the observer. Meanwhile, Erdem and Simone Rocha both, while staying true to their aesthetic, catapulted themselves to a new, more defined level.

Here are the 5 trends we saw most prominently within London Fashion Week Spring 2016.

1/10

Mary Katrantzou Spring 2016

The ruffle

Ruffles were seen everywhere from Erdem to Mary Katrantzou and Giles. The British designers seem to searching for a new way to add girlishness to both 2D and 3D silhouettes and with the perma-rise of oversize on the runways it was refreshing to see ruffles adding a level of pretty.

Mary Katrantzou Spring 2016

2/10

Giles Spring 2016

3/10

Peter Pilotto Spring 2016

The crop, revisited

The cropped pant is still the most prominent form of trouser (at least in London) and it comes in every shape and size. Simone Rocha and Emilia Wickstead both had longer, leaner versions while Roksanda and Peter Pilotto’s were freer and more culotte-inspired. It doesn’t stop there-British street style also saw the higher hipper hemlines on pants; even the editors look like they have taken a pair of scissors to cut a few inches off their fave pairs of jeans. The greatest thing about the rising hemline is that it’s flattering on every body type and adds a refinement to any style of pant (not to mention it looks amazing with flats).

Peter Pilotto Spring 2016

4/10

Emilia Wickstead Spring 2016

5/10

JW Anderson Spring 2016

The mishmash

A refined mishmash was defined by collections like Burberry, with lace dresses being worn with platform sandals and backpacks, and JW Anderson, where knitted pantsuits were worn with balloon shoulder blouses. It’s as if designers are jumbling unexpected ideas together to make a new sentences.

JW Anderson Spring 2016

6/10

Burberry Spring 2016

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2016

7/10

Christopher Kane Spring 2016

The 80s

There was a definite nod to the ’80s at Christopher Kane, but Topshop Unique definitely committed to the trend. Chiffon printed tea dresses, boxy car coats and high waisted mom jeans were complemented by heavy makeup and chandelier earrings.

Christopher Kane Spring 2016

8/10

Topshop Spring 2016

Topshop Unique Spring 2016

9/10

Erdem Spring 2016

The Victorian

The Victorian Prairie girl was the inspiration at Erdem obviously displayed in his collection of storybook dresses but Romanticism was a theme that showed up in several other collections. Giles featured show-stopping dresses with multiple layers of sheer fabric and parachute sleeves while Simone Rocha contrasted her full skirts/puffed sleeve looks by adding bold black straps to modernize.

Erdem Spring 2016

10/10