WE were promised “Pastel Punks”; that the House of Holland girl has “toughened up” - and Henry Holland's show tonight was yet more proof that when this man has an idea he doesn’t let up until it’s done.
A burgeoning master of brand building – there are Pretty Polly tights and a Debenhams line for starters – Henry Holland’s show is always the sure fire hit for paparazzi fodder: Pixie Geldof (celebrating her 21st birthday today), Eliza Doolittle, Marina Diamandis, Nicola Roberts, Jaime Winstone and Lorraine Kelly lined up beside models Jade Parfitt and Laura Bailey and meant that, before we even saw any clothes, Henry is still all about famous bezzies; the most photographers; the biggest frenzy to get in and the loudest cheers at the end.
Today’s catwalk had giant leopard print all over the catwalk so we knew from the moment we arrived that it wouldn’t be a collection for shrinking violets. As if.
So next spring that front row (apart from possibly Lorraine), will be pouring themselves into high-waisted, paint - or bleach-splattered jeans, whose every seam were replaced by metallic zips. Their peach cotton blouses will feature snakeskin collars – and later the snakeskin will slide down the arms of great grey bomber jackets or even stretch to zip emblazoned jeans. There’s nothing, and nowhere, to hide.
Metallic Lurex mesh knits balanced retro with disco chic – a clever addition that means even if you can’t cope with a zip going all the way under next spring, you still want a piece of this look.
Leather single-shouldered dresses and skirts pulsed around legs as they moved, split by hundreds of laser cut slashes, and then purple and blue tartan – another House signature - made for matching trousers, jackets and mini kilts making it better than ever.
Then back came the leopard print on dresses of pink-to-peach or lilac-to-turquoise degrade silk chiffon that were elegant and grown-up and actually beautiful – but then rubber knickers and bras under punky tube dresses with holes in all the right places made sure this was as much about unapologetic, pure Holland humour as it was about the next step for his brand.
SEE THE HOUSE OF HOLLAND SHOW ARCHIVE