JEAN-PIERRE BRAGANZA SS12 AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

Text & Photography by Lucy Mclean

Dominated by a variety of shift dresses and subtle coloured panels on sophisticated suits, with bold heels and chunky accessories, the Jean-Pierre Braganza show presented a smart and elegant collection for Spring/Summer 2012.

The oversized suits, long-length jumpsuits and shift dresses presented boxed silhouettes with batwing sleeves or neat collars which brought a feeling of androgyny to the show, exaggerated by the simple makeup and loosely gathered “skinny plait” hairstyle. However, the pastel colour palette of lilac, powdered orange and pink, along with the off-cut shapes and silken fabrics, payed homage to femininity creating a balance between bold cuts and soft tones in playful print patterns.

The collection saw an assortment of strong black and cream panelled designs as well as an all-white selection of beautifully contoured dresses made more daring and sexy by cut-out sections, twisted halternecks and layered pleats. Splashes of vibrant orange and pink then seeped into the mix showing through all-black mesh garments or in bright orange dresses strapped and hemmed with thin black panels.

These revealing cut-out sections, daring colour tones and the use of mesh and black straps hint towards a more audacious fetish style which remains resonant yet discreet for the upcoming Spring season. Meanwhile, the pastel shades on printed silks hark at the popularity of a more soft sophistication when combined with constructed silhouettes and edgy cuts.