UK: Prince makes surprise appearance at Matthew Williamson fashion show, while there's a trip up at Aquascutum

Record ID: 198815

  • Title: UK: Prince makes surprise appearance at Matthew Williamson fashion show, while there's a trip up at Aquascutum
  • Date: 24th September 2007
  • Summary: RED JACKET WITH BEIGE TRIMMING RESEMBLING A KIMONO WITH PINK TROUSERS PALE GREEN JACKET WITH CREAM TOP AND LILAC AND GREY BLOCK PENCIL SKIRT GREEN AND YELLOW DRESS WITH FLOWER DRAWING PRINT / GREY JACKET JACKET WITH PURPLE FLOWER PRINT WHITE TRENCH WITH DISPROPORTIONATE COLLAR AND OVERSIZED BELT WHITE SLEEVELESS DRESS WITH GREEN, YELLOW AND PINK EMBROIDERY DETAIL VARIOUS O
  • Embargoed: 9th October 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Fashion
  • Reuters ID: LVANH1SOERF4WY3QBWA3PYIDAQ0
  • Story Text: Colour was the order of the day as Matthew Williamson, Aquascutum and Paul Smith unveiled collections for Spring/Summer 2008 in London.
    U.S. pop star Prince had fashionistas at London Fashion Week on their feet on Wednesday (September 20) when he staged a surprise performance at Matthew Williamson's catwalk show.
    The diminutive singer, who is playing a series of concerts in London at the 02 Arena, at first appeared to be only a front row guest at the spring-summer 2008 collection. But the usual fashion scene became a pop concert venue when a Prince track struck up and the first two models onto the catwalk -- a pair of identical twins -- started to dance.
    Prince, wearing sunglasses, a black suit and top hat, then began singing into a microphone from his seat before jumping up and performing from the start of the runway flanked by his band.
    By that time, many in the audience, who included musician Sting's wife actress Trudie Styler, were on their feet snapping photos with their mobile phones and clapping as he sung his hit "U Got the Look".
    Williamson said he wanted to be on home turf to celebrate his first decade in the business.
    "It's just a really nice full circle I think. This is my 20th collection and it celebrates ten years in the industry. This is where I live, this is where I work so it feels really special to be here," said Williamson.
    When asked about the collaboration with Prince, he said: "He (Prince) really wanted to do this, and you don't say 'No' to Prince,"
    Williamson told Reuters Television after the show.
    After the unexpected start, Williamson, who is celebrating ten years as a designer, sent models down the catwalk in richly embroidered skirts and dresses which he said were inspired by the travelling woman.
    The designer himself plans to expand in the United States with stores opening up in New York and Los Angeles in 2008 and Paris in 2009.
    Striped jackets -- a theme throughout London Fashion Week -- were offset with bold splashes of blue, pink and orange.
    At the Aquascutum show, a model had difficulty walking in pink high-heeled shoes with laces around the ankle - twice. After the second mishap, organisers at the show decided to pull her from the final walk through.
    The 150-year old British label is under intense scrutiny as it undergoes a restructuring of the brand.
    Kim Winser was appointed CEO of the company in spring 2007 and has since launched advertising campaigns featuring the Pierce Brosnan and most recently Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
    For spring/summer 2008, designers sent models down the catwalk in Japanese-inspired shapes including jackets in the shape of kimonos and their trademark trench coats, with a Japanese-style obi belt.
    Flowers that looked like they were drawn on added an optimistic feel to the spring/summer collection as the detail was found on dresses and jackets.
    At Paul Smith on Tuesday (September 20), the designer looked to inspiration from British artist David Hockney in the 1960s with thick circle glasses, blazers lined with thick colour and rugby shirt dresses taking to the catwalk.
    British model Lily Cole modelled for Paul Smith as he showed a collection full of stripes, and primary colours in silk.
    London Fashion Weekon Thursday (September 20).
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