LFW A/W 2012: JASPER GARVIDA

LFW A/W 2012 @ THE BLOOMSBURY HOTEL
JASPER GARVIDA
Second post in a day but I thought that the moody, dark pictures that I just about managed to capture at this extremely oddly lit show would suit an evening blog.
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Jasper, who hails from the Philippines, has a glittering reputation preceding him, with his online profile listing numerous accolades:
Jasper Garvida graduated from the prestigious Central St. Martins in 2004 with a BA honours in fashion design womenswear. His graduate collection Gala, Alice in Wonderland was reviewed by Hillary Alexander, Fashion Editor of the Telegraph , as a “dazzling debut” and he was selected by ID magazine as “one of the young designers to watch out for”. The complete collection was bought out by Nicola Formachetti, Editor of Dazed and Confused and was sold in Jingumae, Tokyo.
On graduation Jasper’s first appointment was designing for Couture Label Michiko Koshino as a chief designer.
In 2008, Jasper won Sky One’s Project Catwalk. Host Kelly Osbourne said “We found our UK’s next biggest fashion designer”. Zandra Rhodes commented “I can’t believe the details in Jasper’s workmanship, it’s a knockout!”
Since August 2008 Jasper has set up his own label “Jasper Garvida” and has established a high-profile clientele. Jasper has worked with celebrities such as Liz Hurley, Sophie Dahl, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Beverley Knight and Cheryl Cole. His designs have also recently been seen on Diana Vickers, the members of Sugababes and Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes. In addition, since Jasper’s graduate fashion week in London he has steadily remained in the press, featuring in publications ranging from the Vogue, Elle, Grazia, ID magazine, Dazed and Confused, V Magazine, the Daily Telegraph, and many more. The label is stocked in My Sugarland, Angel; Subcouture, Notting Hill and Style Clinic, Liverpool. Jasper is also stocked across the Atlantic, in Cyrille & Clövr in Beverly Hills, LA.
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Having read this prior to the presentation, I was expecting something structured, elegant, digestible, perhaps a little demure. I wasn't expecting to have my head blown off by the intensity of the whole show and I'll admit to being a little bit breathless when it ended!
A great little write-up on Amelia's Magazine hit the nail right on the head when describing the godzilla-esque models that stomped up and down the catwalk at top speed, making for a highly-paced, highly-charged atmosphere and a terrible set up for taking photos (that's my excuse & I'm sticking to it!).

Here is how the literature that was handed out at the show explained the theme of his collection:
Jasper Garvida’s AW12 takes inspiration from Russian Constructivism. Entitled, Revolutionnaire Situation de la Forme, Jasper again departs from his trademark use of colour in favour of a muted palette brought to life in military shapes and detailing.
The collection captures the essence and beauty of the contemporary woman. Luxury fabrics include printed satin illustrating mechanical machinery mixed with soft suede and fine cashmere to create a utilitarian silhouette, spotlighting Marlene Dietrich, one of the most celebrated women of the World War era.
In my opinion, this show was all of that and more! I definitely got the military vibe and perhaps the "Russian Constructivism" reference (although isn't constructivism, Russian or otherwise, an undercurrent of the fashion industry anyway?) as well as a gesture of Marlene Dietrich but the collection was far bolder and stronger than I could have ever anticipated.

Clunky accessories and chains 'n' oversized zips balanced out the elegant and airy dresses and a strong military theme lent consistency to the more flamboyant designs.





Loved the way this dress flowed.You can probably tell how fast the models were walking from the way her hem is fluttering!

















The star piece of the collection, in my opinion, was this fabulous LBD with chainmail-meets-tinsel shoulder detail, finished off with a bold gold choker. Magical.





Mr Garvida taking a bow.

I hope you've enjoyed getting an insight into my blogger's experience of London Fashion Week. I felt so privileged to be a part of the excitement and bustle of the fashion tsunami that sweeps through London, Paris, New York and Milan twice a year.
I have one last show to share with you (its a good'un) and then it's onwards and upwards towards the S/S 2013 shows in September... !
*falls to floor*
Love always,Geishaxoxo