LFW – House of Holland S/S2020: Dance the Pain Away
Henry Holland takes over Kings Cross and defeats the British weather for his new S/S2020 collection
Designer Henry Holland is part of the ‘Rat Pack’ of British designers that also includes the likes of Giles Deacon, Gareth Pugh and Lou Dalton. His new House of Holland collection for S/S2020 at London Fashion Week reminded us all of why he’s held in such high regard in the industry. The title of the collection, Dance the Pain Away, may be a subtle reference to the state of pain the world finds itself in on both sides of the Atlantic at the moment, but at least we know that if we are going to dance Holland will make it easier for us.
There was simple and chic sophistication in a collection that took inspiration from the era of Studio 54 in the 70s and the rave culture of Holland’s native Manchester in the 90s. One of the stand-out themes on display was the almost ‘tonic effect’ use of colour, with many pieces subtly graduating from one colour to another as you looked over it. Another reoccurring theme was the colour green – reflected in the make-up, the clothes and the summery setting of the green spaces in newly re-developed Kings Cross.
Contrast came with the loose candy pink boiler suits casually tied at the waist and teamed with high-heeled sandals, and the knitted pink and brown striped top and skirt combos. Dresses came in long, simple styles asymmetrically cinched at the waist, A-line maxi styles or short and youthful tennis styles – all to take advantage of warm climes.
The tailoring also came with an air of youthful but refined elegance, with tuxedo jackets featuring contrast lapels and unfussy chain-linked fastenings that deliberately left the torso exposed or completely sequinned in black and adorned with snow white beaded tassels.
There were even selections for the music festival and concert-in-the-park goers with denim combinations accentuated with bright red stitching and slouchy jersey tops coupled with matching cropped pants that came in purple and green or blood orange and yellow.
When black did appear on the catwalk a contrasting colour was always used to break up the monotony, like the aforementioned snow white beaded tassels or the cherry red panelling on the leather biker’s jacket. Definitely a collection made to appeal to the carefree dancer inside all of us.
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