Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2012 RTW

So far, Fashion Week has been coming along swimmingly!  Designers seem to be on track, and as far as I've seen, there hasn't been a major disappointment of a collection (although on a side note, Erdem did take a slightly different route this season.  I don't think it was necessarily the wrong route, but in the end, it's the customer who decides).  Having said that, the one standout collection has been Burberry.  It was a spectacular show, but you wouldn't have realized it at first glance - as it is with many collections.  Only after discovering the inspiration behind the collection, understanding the craftsmanship, and witnessing the beautiful ending (which means you can't just sift through photos!), could you have truly appreciated the collection.

Christopher Bailey titled this show Town and Field, which essentially led to a procession of looks with both urban and rural style.  I'm going to focus on the women, but the men had fabulously slim pants and a delightful mix of textures too.  Very country dapper!  The main silhouette throughout the show was a waist cinched with a bow belt, and exaggerated peplum hips.  The coat with the ruffled front was one of my favourite looks in the collection.

So how is this a mixture of town and field?  It may not be obvious at first, but once pencil skirts decorated with huge zigzag ruffles, military and utility inspired jackets, owl graphic tees, knits and corduroy stitched with leather, and trenchcoats with herringbone sides appeared, the oxymoron asserted itself.

Velvet started to be used on jackets and skirts, providing a unique clash with the studded, leather gloves.  A standout was definitely the deep colour blocked puff coat.

Finally, the message took hold of us with lovely flower print, casual striped tees embroidered with chunky beads, and metallic fringe.  Not to mention the divine diamond quilted velvet coat that finished off the show.

As a finale, fake rain poured over the transparent tent, and flakes of snow (or rain, if you will) fluttered down the interior as the models came out carrying umbrellas.  It was an ending that sent waves of chills over me.  In the tongue-in-cheek (or not really) words of the ever articulate Tim Blanks, "Perhaps the rain was just another metaphor, this time for all the money showering down on Burberry."

Watch the entire show here.  Yes, it's a 23 minute video, but the ending is well worth it.

Image Source: Style.com