Oh the rejuvenating powers of a Margaret Howell show.
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/var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/margaret-howell/autumn-winter-2012/collection/howell-rf12-0047-margaret-howell-london-autumn-winter-2012/13410315-1-eng-GB/howell-rf12-0047_CC.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/margaret-howell/autumn-winter-2012/collection/howell-rf12-0047-margaret-howell-london-autumn-winter-2012/13410315-1-eng-GB/howell-rf12-0047_C0.jpg iMAXTREE
/var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/margaret-howell/autumn-winter-2012/collection/howell-rf12-0063-margaret-howell-london-autumn-winter-2012/13410308-1-eng-GB/howell-rf12-0063_CC.jpg /var/elleuk/storage/images/catwalk/designer-a-z/margaret-howell/autumn-winter-2012/collection/howell-rf12-0063-margaret-howell-london-autumn-winter-2012/13410308-1-eng-GB/howell-rf12-0063_C0.jpg iMAXTREE Like a palette cleanser for the eyes, Howell strips back extraneous clutter, fuss and colour to present a pure and unadulterated vision of how women could dress. Emphasis on the could here, as Howell has been producing her strong and quiet label since 1972, enjoying success without having to shout about its presence.
Autumn Winter 2012 sees Howell's love of the great outdoors realised with colours from a frozen English landscape, Shetland wool knits and traditional fabrics with modern construction. Herringbone trouser suits and duffle coats are as masculine as they can be, with little modification for a female form, those jersey cuffed wool trousers looking so fresh and clean. Nothing shouts of style so much as silence.