Designer A-Z

Jasper Conran

Autumn/Winter 2012

By Laura Weir

London Fashion Week tweeted before Jasper Conran that the show was running on time, and that the audience should arrive promptly. Well we’d expect nothing less, Jasper Conran OBE is an old hand at this now, and his veteran professionalism was reflected in his A/W '12 collection.

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The show’s execution was slick and considered; the theme—which of course hinged off Conran’s signature minimal style—was a cohesive selection of precision cut cashmere and elegant tailoring.

The palette ran in a pleasing tonal stream. From creamy camel, through to chocolate, into mink and then into slate grey; the cool, quiet of the collection riffed nicely against the Donna Summer soundtrack. But other than the brushed bronze leather and a modicum of gold glitzy embellishment there was nothing disco nightspot about this collection. It was pure and simple in aesthetic—with every piece both day and evening appropriate.

A peek of marabou feathers, shiny bright gems woven into wools, and a pom-pom smattered prom dress injected the texture necessary to break up the purity. It felt a touch sixties, with collarless jackets, bouclé collars and half belts, but then again it felt entirely modern, because that’s what Jasper does best; a timeless, minimal aesthetic that transcends era.