As emotionally transformative as it can be to sit, fully present, at a runway presentation and take in the physical impact of a new collection first-hand, there’s something very entertaining inherent in observing it from afar on social media. By virtue of the fact that the content posted on Instagram is cherry-picked to have the most mass appeal, it’s literally a highlight reel of everything that is transpiring–all of the front row dazzle and none of the IRL glimpses of armpit sweat.
At this season of London Fashion Week, there was much dazzle to be had. I was stopped dead in my Instagram scrolling tracks multiple times over the course of the last seven days, arrested by the need to gaze excitedly at the image beneath my fingertips for considerably longer than the nanosecond it took to “like” it. Below are six dispatches from across the pond that I can’t stop thinking about.
1. The One That Reminded Me That Fashion Runways Are a State of Mind
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I dare you to watch this video and not experience a rush of pure, unadulterated joy. A perfect use of slow motion video, truly, and another spectacular outfit courtesy of Billy Porter’s stylist Sammy Ratelle, who is responsible for the star’s most iconic looks. It makes me want to wear big earrings and bigger sunglasses together posthaste.
2. The One That Shook Me With the Reality That Life Is Full of Surprises
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Let’s take in this Instagram caption together with deep breaths: “#HarperSeven #AnnaWintour #VBSS20 x VB.” Imagine the rarefied thrill that must come with typing out hashtags for the names of your eight-year-old daughter and the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, neither of whom have Instagram accounts but both of whom are instantly recognizable on the app. Imagine, also, that you were once a Spice Girl with a penchant for skin-tight mini dresses and now you are an established high-fashion designer with a knack for impeccable suiting and elegant draping. “Surreal” doesn’t even begin to describe it.
3. The One That Made Me Want to Wear My Bra Over My Shirt
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I searched through J.W. Anderson’s tags on Instagram with gusto to consume as many real-time glimpses of their bra-cum-harness accessories as I could in one sitting, such was my enthusiasm regarding what I predict will be a ubiquitous styling piece in street style outfits and fashion editorials alike. If we can’t #freethenipple yet on Instagram, at least we can encircle them with stylishly respectful aplomb.
4. The One That Felt Even More Magical Than a Letter From Hogwarts
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True to form, Simone Rocha sent a series of breathtaking dresses, skirts, coats, and pajama-esque pants down the runway in her most recent collection, all of which were vaguely reminiscent of antique homeware with feminine touches–china, tablecloths, wallpaper, etc. For obvious reasons, I was especially drawn to this cropped photo of a model’s feet. Look at the details!!!! The patterned sock! The embroidery! The crystal and pearl embellishments! Dreamy and drool-worthy all at once.
5. The One That Everyone on the Internet Was Talking About
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I’ll admit that it is very clichĂ© of me, as a digital editor, to relish in the artfully employed runway clickbait of a supermodel who dyes her hair blonde for the purposes of making a splash in a show, but I can’t help admire the strategy behind it. It’s headline-making, social media-generating gold! Pun intended! Kendall Jenner first tested out this strategy with a blonde wig at the Balmain Fall/Winter 2016 runway show a few years ago, so it’s a treat to see her take it one step further this time around at Burberry.
6. The One That Tickled My Eyeballs (Only Figuratively, Thank Heavens)
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RIXO’s presentation was inspired by the psychedelic prints of Woodstock, which explains why every Instagram I saw from it was a joyful burst of saturated color. This one in particular went straight into my bookmarks folder because of the way it marries different prints and shapes so seamlessly–like the style equivalent of a kaleidoscope. Fun bonus: the whole collection is already available to shop now.
Were there any memorable Instagrams from London Fashion Week that made you do a double take?
Feature photo via RIXO and Vogue Runway.Â
