British eccentrics: emerging womenswear trend

By Geraldine Wharry, WGSN, 17 December 2013

Global fashion editorials and current exhibitions in London converge to celebrate British heritage and
eccentricity.
WGSN ANALYSIS

REGAL OPULENCE

Isabella Blow photographed by Mario Testino, 1997

EXTRAVAGANCE
Helena Bonham Carter photographed by Tim
Walker

Photography by Tim Walker, 2009

PLUSH FABRICS

A morning ramble, or - The Milliners Shop by

Carington Bowles, 1782

WGSN 2013

Relevance: Isabella
Blow's style
retrospective at
Somerset House
and the Georgians
Revealed exhibit at
the British Library
confirm a renewed
interest in a past
British era.
Aristocratic attire
and Dickensian
street urchins both
made a mark on
fashion
Styling: this trend
juxtaposes 18th
and 19th century
regal outfits and
extravagant
accessorising with
street-urchin
dandy silhouettes.
Styled together, the
result makes for
theatrical looks
with references to
circus performers
Fabric: plush,
opulent fabrics
such as velvet,
brocade and fur
co-exist with
menswear-inspired
stripe suitings and
wool herringbones
References: styleinfluencers Isabella
Blow, Vivienne
Westwood and Tim

Walker, as well as
the works of
Charles Dickens
and artists Thomas
Gainsborough and
William Hogarth

Editorial photographed by Richard Bush

Editorial photographed by Tim Walker

DICKENSIAN STREET URCHIN

Vivienne Westwood

WGSN 2013

Editorial photographed by Richard Bush

Editorial photographed by Tim Walker

DICKENSIAN STREET URCHIN

Editorial photographed by Dan Smith

BRITISH HERITAGE

Vivienne Westwood

Editorial photographed by Tim Walker

PILED LAYERING

Editorial photographed by Manuela Pavesi

WGSN 2013

Vivienne Westwood

Editorial photographed by Tim Walker

PILED LAYERING
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Thomas
Gainsborough

Editorial photographed by Manuela Pavesi

BOLD STRIPE SUITING

Editorial photographed by Richard Bush

GENDER PLAY

Kate Moss photographed by Tim Walker

Editorial photographed by Mark Segal

WGSN 2013

CIRCUS THEATRICALS
Editorial photographed by Mark Segal

Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow photographed

by David LaChapelle, 1996

Streetfsn street shot, Paris

Editorial photographed by Tim Walker

Editorial photographed by Mathieu Cesar

Related reports

Actionable Art: Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

10 December 2013

Somerset House's exploration of the life and

wardrobe of the muse, stylist and patron of
design offers VM inspiration.
WGSN 2013

WGSN 2013