London Fashion Week’s Response to Chic Business Women Demands

When I watch the LFW catwalk shows, I look for designs suitable for a chic business woman because I’m one of them and because most of my individual clients are. And usually I’m disappointed as even though the clothes presented at the shows are beautiful and extremely creative, they just won’t do in a law firm or when pitching for an investor. But there are always a few designers that deliver feminine yet powerful looks for chic business woman. Here are some I liked.

Zoe Jordan – I like the simple, relaxed yet powerful look she’s proposing for a modern young female entrepreneur. Her cuts are strong and decisive but at the same time loosely fitted giving women emotional space to breathe. She has also catered for various roles that women are playing every day by creating a dress accentuating female form which is perfect for a date, a power suit to show all the guys who is the boss, a loose but colourful top to wear for a school run and a fur coat to sport on the creative networking cocktails.

DAKS – Presenting careless business elegance. The typical suit fabrics and cut of the garments with added relaxation in the fit make this collection perfect for business women who don’t want others to focus on their figure but rather on their business skills. If however the situation or mood calls for revealing the beauty of female curves, DAKS also provided some closely fitted alternatives with a slight bohemian touch which makes the whole look just a pinch spicier.

Todd Lynn – Very decisive tailoring with some rock chic elements. Collection designed for tough lady bosses. Want to look fierce and command authority? You will certainly find a lot of great pieces to add to your A/W wardrobe in this collection.

Preen – The strong contrast of red, black and white combined with softness of floral prints and toughness of the cut gave birth to the collection which is an answer to every business woman’s dilemma: how to be feminine but tough.

Emilia Wickstead – Pure lady-like elegance. But don’t be fooled! It’s not for quiet housewives of the forgotten era. It’s for the ladies that earned their place and don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Women rule!

Temperley London – Gorgeous, glamorous look for women on top. With added subtle yet decisive and luxurious colours, the collection is a perfect addition to any business woman’s wardrobe.

Paul Smith – Bright coloured tailoring that would certainly get you noticed in the office and help you and your team stay energised during those dark days of British winter. But not to worry about undermining your authority with vibrant colours as the famous British tailoring will show people that you mean business.

Richard Nicoll – Lovely, subtle colours combined with strong and decisive cuts make this collection perfect for woman who is not afraid to show her femininity but would like to look professional and powerful. A modern yet minimalistic look will help you appear timeless yet current; a wisdom combined with novelty.

Antonio Berardi – Clean cuts, deep tones, masculine power, feminine seductiveness – perfect ingredients of a collection created with business women in mind.

Maria Grachvogel – And that’s how you should design for women! Fluidity, elegance and grandness of shapes that appreciate female form and her daily hard work. Simply stunning!

Aminaka Wilmont – A professional rock chic. A business catwoman. If you’re working in any of the creative industries and want to be seen as a tough boss, this is the collection to explore.

And a couple of new designers…

Emillium – The designer Emily Seulki Uhm has just graduated and this is her first collection. I had a pleasure to speak to her and she is a fascinating young talent. Her ethos is to allow women comfort in her designs which is not always on the agenda of other designers but something that every woman wants. Her AW13 collection is embroidered in electrical components which I found very interesting. When I asked her why, she said that it’s ‘taking the inner beauty outside’. I loved it! Using the internal components of machines as metaphors for internal beauty which is then transferred to the surface of the garment for everyone to see is just incredible.

Christopher Waller – An interesting mix of textures and colours combined with decisive lines makes his collection perfect for strong-minded business women in creative industries. All fabrics were of extremely good quality and garments were made to perfection which will give an impression of sophistication and precision when worn. Looking forward to seeing more of his creations in the future.

Filed in: aminaka wilmont, antonio berardi, business women, christopher waller, daks, elle, emilia wickstead, emillium, fashion, fashion psychology, fashion scout, london fashion week, maria grachvogel, paul smith, preen, richard nicoll, todd lynn, workwear, zoe jordan

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