Yes. Yes.
YES.
Having
been looking forward to this all week, the time finally arrived for me to get a
good look at The Rodnik Band AW12 collection. With previous pieces including
Mondrian Urinal and Warhol’s Campbell soup can dresses, you can imagine I was
just a tad excited at what was next. At first glance, The Rodnik Band could
just look like a bit of fun, you know, something for Katy Perry on a Friday
night. It’s wacky, out there and really rather comical. However, this season is
it also fabulously British, and definitely not one to be written off so
easily.
After
sipping on £50 a bottle Tequila and vitamin water, a throw back to my student
days, we set about taking in what was on
display. The right hand side of the room was dedicated to the red, white and
blue in a teatime display of tea and cake. The models too, dressed in some of
the most iconic images of British culture,
stood on individual plinths emblazoned with the Union Jack. If it wasn’t
already obvious AW12 has taken a rather regal stance as it delved in the world
of the Monarchy.
Starting
with a feature film declaring “God help the Queen” with cancan-ing Queen
Victorias and British landmarks turned on their heads, is designer Philip Colbert just taking the
piss out of the Royal Family? After a
few false fire alarms and a closer inspection, it quickly becomes apparent that
designer Philip Colbert is actually
making a far more serious comment about the boundaries of fashion and creative
expression. When we outright asked Philip
if the label sought to mock the
royal family, Colbert simply replied ‘No not at all, it’s all about making
everything relevant’. And boy is he right, as Kate and Pippa Middleton
lookalikes instantly get the crowd talking. The designs walk a satirical line
between art and fashion, and, much like previous collections, play on the idea
of wearable icons.However, Colbert also addressed the inescapability of our national heritage.
How we present ourselves is an integral part of our individuality yet so is
where we come from. Britain is an inherent part of our history and identity and
why should this be ignored?
A red
sequin dress was a nod to the classic Beefeater attire, accessorized with an
oversized crown transforming the model into a royal caricature. In her hand, a
bright red double decker bus bag completely the signature British look. Toned
down but just as iconic, a royal mail postbox in a blush pink made the second
look paired with a black cab bag and a fried egg purse. Yes, that’s right – a
fried egg. A similar inflatable egg was also seen around Colbert’s neck for
much of the night. This collection was
practically tailor made for me for as much as I love sequins, I bloody love
eggs.
In it’s
own little corner, Violet’s Box, an up and coming vintage fancy dress boutique
added to the good British humour of the event kitting out attendees in
moustaches, tulle skirts and top hats. Keep your eyes peeled here for a little
insight into Violet’s work very soon.
Overall,
yet another season of mental window shopping for me. I’m madly in love with the
Beefeater dress, that’s for sure. I’m also madly in love with Philip Colbert
himself, he was absolutely adorable and exceptionally friendly to everyone he passed.
I also loved his hat. I’ll stop going on about the poor man now...
C. x
