Full backcombed, blown-out hair, fake tan with a shimmer, false eyelashes and full on eveningwear, and it wasn’t even midday. That was the scrum outside the Royal Opera House as VIPs piled into see Julien MacDonald Spring Summer 2015.
Julien is all about glamour. ‘Julien glamour’ is unashamed bling, sparkle, and feel good fashion. These are clothes that say sod trends and looking moody – be fabulous and have a good time. Remember this is the fashion designer who took part in dance show "Strictly Come Dancing," as well as took over from McQueen as Creative Director at Givenchy. Here a down day would be when Shirley Bassey isn’t on repeat and the front row is always as much of a spectacle as his clothes – this season it featured leggy, pouty reality star beauties, Abbey Clancy, Laura Whitmore, Millie Mackintosh, Rosie Fortescue, Leah Weller and a dog (no really, a puppy, small little thing) but he got kicked off the front row pre-show, but left with no diva fit, his tail wagging.
Julien MacDonald Ready To Wear Spring Summer 2015 London / NOWFASHION.com
With sun streaming in through the Deco style wrought-iron and glass dome, the beat kicked in and it started with sparkle. Tight, sexy silhouettes, geometric knits and lurex light frills and flounces, perfect for strutting your stuff on the dance floor. There were floral motifs and sheer panels with tattoo like embroideries lacing seductively across the body, mermaid silk knits, and sequins and lace in a Lesage-like explosion that shimmered across layers of tulle. The best pieces were his virtuoso knitwear – the skill that caught the attention of Karl Lagerfeld when he graduated from the Royal College in 1996. There were lots of bridal gowns, mini and flirty under a sparkle and embroidery strewn veil, to dramatic red carpet creations that showed that MacDonald could do slick and sophisticated, but you imagine would much rather crank up Cyndi Lauper "Girls, just want to have fun."
