Topshop Unique FW12 LFW Review
Military-inspired jackets, party dresses and a particularly desirable velvet jumpsuit.
The Topshop Unique show is a big deal at LFW. Everybody shows up. Last season, I was almost knocked onto the road by Naomi Campbell's entourage, and then I got to interview the amazing(ly thin) Anna Dello Russo. This year, the Slightly Less Very Important People (of which I was one) were relegated to a balcony overlooking the Slightly More Very Important People, and since so many people had squeezed themselves up against the railing, I had trouble doing my usual star scan. By the time I'd found a shorty to peer over, the show was kicking off.
For FW12, the Unique design team - helmed by Vogue UK's Fashion Director Kate Phelan - really upped the ante. Structured military-inspired jackets were juxtaposed with over-sized shirts and slouchy jumpers, pants and dresses, which if I were a girl would be pretty much everything I'd want to wear (I'm going to buy the khaki coat from Look 1 anyway). The blend of muted colours like khaki, grey, and burgundy made the collection super wearable, whilst splashes of burnt orange, lemon and bright red kept it from feeling dreary.
At first, I was a little baffled by their decision to send out shimmery party dresses at the end, but as the models marched out for the finale, I got to thinking that maybe it was better that they'd thrown a curveball and finished on a fun note. Speaking of fun, here's hoping velour jumpsuits are trending (my housemate and I have animal print onesies that we wear when we're playing Wii, but I feel like the chic, black, velvety jumpsuit that Unique sent down the runway would give me the confidence boost I need to finally rule the Mario Kart raceway).
Watch the FW12 runway presentation here:
And check out some of our favourite looks:
Unique's SS12 offering arrives in the Melbourne Topshop store tomorrow.
Words: Zac Bayly
