Love was in the air with Trench Kisses all round at Burberry’s London Fashion Week show last Monday with Hollywood stars and pop singers looking on from the front row.
I like the idea of wearing your heart on your sleeve so I wanted to put these little heart motifs in the show
The British fashion giant’s autumn/winter 2013 showcase took place in a custom-built marquee in the capital’s Kensington Gardens, and featured a performance by this year’s Brit Awards Critics’ Choice winner Tom Odell.
Actresses Kate Beckinsale and Freida Pinto, pop stars Rita Ora and Tinie Tempah, Burberry model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton and the pinnacle of the fashion hierarchy, American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, turned out to see what was on offer .
The Trench Kisses show featured Burberry’s trademark trench coats splattered with hearts and dresses with big gold hearts on the shoulder, as well as wet-look coats, animal print, gold belts and collars and rich reds.
Backstage after the show, Christopher Bailey, Burberry’s chief creative officer, said one of the inspirations for today’s collection was Christine Keeler – the woman at the centre of the Profumo affair.
“I’ve been looking at the story of Christine Keeler who was kind of this really fun girl who infiltrated this world of serious politics and spies. I kind of felt like there was something we could play with,” he said.
The designer said his show was very much about emotion – a theme that was enhanced by the heart prints on display and the love songs serenading the audience.
He said: “I liked the idea of emotions and love and making people smile.
“I like the idea of wearing your heart on your sleeve so I wanted to put these little heart motifs in the show.”
The surprise of having Odell perform was spectacularly unveiled when the backdrop to the catwalk opened out to reveal the singer sitting at a piano with a cello and gospel singers.
Bailey’s choice of entertainment was based on him being a fan of Odell’s work and his belief that it would suit the Trench Kisses theme.
“Tom is someone I’ve kind of worked with over the last year or year and a half on different projects.
“He is the most incredible talent. I am his number one fan and he has such emotion in his music, and this show was so much about emotion we decided to have a bit of fun together and do this,” he said.
The designer also had something to say about Romeo Beckham – son of David and Victoria – who appears in the latest Burberry advertising posters.
“I’m also his number one fan. He’s the most wonderful little chap. He’s the most beautifully mannered fun guy and such a pleasure to work with” he said.
Before the show, Hollywood star Beckinsale said why she thought the brand has such appeal and longevity.
“It’s so stylish and it’s been around for such a long time.
“I remember my stepdad, who was never very fashionable, having a really nice Burberry raincoat when I was about seven, and then I got one,” she said.
The actress, who has starred in films such as Pearl Harbour and Underworld, said she believes Bailey has ensured the brand is here to stay.
“He’s done such a good job with it,” she said. “So brilliant. It was a little bit more kind of grown-up when I was a child. Now it’s incredibly hip and cutting-edge cool. You know all those little metallic pink trench coats.”
Singer Rita Ora wore a T-shirt featuring an image of model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne and the words Queen Delevingne – the “queen” in question being one of Burberry’s models and a friend of the RIP star.
When asked what she thought Delevingne’s secret to success was in setting the fashion world alight, she said it was because she is “cool”.