Couture Show: Oxford Fashion Week A/W14

Luxurious textiles, bespoke tailoring and embellished gowns filled the upper gallery of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Thursday night.

Below the gothic arches viewers were taken on a trip around the world: a bold Mexican fiesta at Louise O’Mahoney, an East Asian court at Moon Lee, origami at Mariapia Mineo, Spanish toreadors at Korlekie and exotic materials (including wood) at Louise Körner. Here are the most striking of these artforms.

Alina Stanila

A/W 2015 Collection inspired from the film and script of Chris Marker’s ‘La Jetee’,” to summon the past and future to the aid of the present”.

Mariapia Mineo

Alongside work experiences with Gareth Pugh, Anne Sofie Madsen and Roland Mouret and working between London and Copenhagen, Mineo has been involved in various projects for Costume Design for Contemporary Dance, which reflects in her designs.

Lenie Boya

An Oxford based designer presenting her interpretation of intrinsic power of the socially active, multi-faceted contemporary woman through pieces inspired by Picasso’s oeuvres.

Clements & Church

An independent British tailor creating contemporary ready to wear, made to measure and bespoke gentlemen’s attire.

Ahmar Ali

Very conceptual and meaningful, this collection, ‘The Sama’ is drawn from Sufi whirling (dervish spinning), which is a form of physically active meditation and form of worship.

Ahmar Ali

Louise Körner

Körner has previously worked as a costume designer for various ballets but has since risen to international acclaim as a clothing designer. This is her latest SS15 Collection entitled “Lady Earth”.

Cahide Bodur

A fashion designer whose ideas are inspired by various social aspects of life. Experimental techniques are used to express these ideas; textile, collage, print, hand drawing, craftsmanship and CAD but Cahide Bodur is also meant to be wearable, desirable and real.

Louise O’Mahoney

Brighton based designer Louise O’Mahony launches her 2015 collection this autumn, with a collection that takes inspiration from Mexican, European and Asian Folklore.

Moon Lee

The collection is artistic couture, shown not only on catwalks, but also at art exhibitions. The delicate hand-painted and organically dyed garments are indeed wearable art.

William Wilde

The London-based designer is recognisable for his signature latex clothing but also lingerie as seen in the Lingerie Show earlier in the week.

Korlekie

A new women’s fashion brand offering exquisite, elegant, opulent and unique clothing and accessories blending inspiration from Ghana and know-how from the traditional manufacturing techniques of the UK industry.

 

Photographs by Karolina Kalinowska and Jake Hatt

With thanks to the Oxford Fashion Week team for granting us access throughout the week, including backstage.