Edinburgh International Fashion Festival has been generating all kinds of buzz for weeks now, and kicked off perfectly Friday night with their Opening Gala with a runway show from British design duo Clements Ribeiro and a fancy ass after party. Set in the stunning venue Mansfield Traquair (Edinburgh I knew you were beautiful but where you been hiding this wee gem?) with a specially composed score by Marty Hailey the show was big on drama and just creating this really amazingly charged atmosphere.
TL;DR – THIS IS HOW YOU KICK OFF A FESTIVAL.
Incancio Riberio cites classical punk as a heavy influence for the A/W 13 collection – teamed with bursts of Brazillian florals to help create a collection that is elegant yet still heavy on the sexy. How could I not love something like this? I am an utter SUCKER for a good A/W collection and this guy just ticked all kinds of boxes from me. Easily one of the most wearable runway shows I’ve seen in a while (never mistake wearable for boring btw) I don’t think there was a single piece that went down that catwalk I would not love love love to have hanging in my own wardrobe. Laser cut wool, embroided knits, the softest looking cashmeres, kilts and lots and lots of colour including my favourite colour combo of pink and red. Just fully all in about it.
Trend reports are all about predicting what everyone will be wearing a few months from now, and while I’m sure the whole “pastels for winter” looks gorgeous, it’s hardly practical for you average Glasgow November afternoon. Also – who the fuck wants to be ruled by trends? Clements Ribeiro creates a highly wearable collection with pieces that you could pretty much keep forever (literally any of the knitwear, just any of it.) It’s a fun, sexy collection with a very elegant interpretation of punk. I was delighted to get the chance to go along as the show was pretty much breath taking.
I’m utterly gutted to have missed the Diana Vreeland symposium this morning but the fest still has LOADS packed in before closing next Sunday. Top tips? Head along to the Eribe knit workshop – a must for any knitwear junkie, definitely see the Coming Into Fashion Exhibition to see some of the fiercest fashion photography ever from Conde Nast’s back cataloge (which almost definitely makes up for those unable to go to London for the Miles Aldridge exhibition atm) and my hottest ticket? Future Fashion next Saturday. Your wee minds will be blown.