MANILA, Philippines - The perfect illustration of Britain’s position in the fashion world is the fact that while British Fashion Month is taking place in Manila, six up-and-coming Philippine designers will be showing their collections at the International Fashion Showcase during London Fashion Week in Britain. Not only is British fashion internationally recognized as the most creative fashion center in the world, it is also seen as the source of discovery and new inspirations in the fashion world.
In February and September every year fashion influencers from every continent fly to Europe and turn to the catwalks of London Fashion Week in a quest to be amongst the first to find the next big thing. While they sit in the front rows of fashion’s most innovative ideas capital, they hold their breath in anticipation of what the spotlight is about to reveal. The excitement is palpable and we should never underestimate how much the world looks to Britain when it wants to get a sense of what it takes to stay ahead “in fashion.â€
Ever since Mary Quant’s mini-skirt arrived in the Sixties, Britain’s youthful, experimental and healthily rebellious young fashion designers have consistently succeeded in changing the way that we dress. Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano are towering peaks of inventiveness and today the likes of Gareth Pugh and Christopher Kane are the new names to watch if we want to be amongst the first to see the future of fashion. All of these designers have infused and influenced our wardrobes with their vibrancy and excitement, no matter where we shop, because their ideas and inspirations filter through every level of the fashion world, arriving in a closet close to you in next to time.
It is no accident that Britain’s youthful, experimental and healthily rebellious take on fashion keeps flowing with such high-energy force. The United Kingdom has a long history of inventiveness and holds the arts in high regard. Alongside the expressive melody of an outstanding music scene and the quirkily eccentric creativity of craft, the great British designers also have the support of heritage and superb education as well. These are the foundations against which creativity pushes, encouraging the young to explore new technologies and inspiring them to expand the boundaries of their imaginations. The result is a nation where even traditional classics are constantly being redefined.
Long-established heritage brands such as the tailors in Savile Row or newly invigorated and iconic labels like Burberry play their part as well, seeking out fresh ways to play with fashion while remaining confident that their quality and workmanship provide a benchmark that others aspire to match. The way that Britain’s fashion elders embrace and encourage new talent and ideas is not only a cause for celebration but also a precursor for outstanding success as well.
British retailers have also been blazing a trail on the cutting edge of fashion. Fifty years ago when Mary Quant took the mini-skirt to new heights, long-legged followers of fashion marched on the pavements of the Kings Road and Carnaby Street in London. This is where the first fashion boutiques gathered together, creating the birthplace of modern shopping and introducing the magical theater of retail that we all enjoy today. Just like the designers, British retailers are constantly exploring new ideas and partnerships so that now when we walk through their doors, into Marks and Spencer, River Island or Warehouse for example, we are welcomed into a world brimming with inspiration. We feel inspired to explore. Is this is what it means to stay in fashion? To stay connected, stay playful and constantly reinvent the world? One thing is certain, these are the things that are great in British fashion.
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Nikki Rowntree is an international creative fashion consultant.