Designer A-Z

Michael Van Der Ham

Autumn/Winter 2012

By Carrie Tyler

You know what you're getting from a Michael van der Ham show. So finely tuned is he to his aesthetic of patchworking and appliqué that he never veers from his path.

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It's a wonder that he still manages to keep us interested but boy, he really does. Today's autumn winter 2012 collection brought the familiar techniques but broadened: the simple pieces were simpler, the elaborate pieces even more so with the introduction of sequins.

This is partly do with with his increased number of stockists, "it helps because I'm designing a fuller collection. Some stockists want a range of t-shirts, others a fuller collection" van der Ham says of the mix of glittering gowns and knitwear. Citing Veronica Lake and the Ziegfeld Follies as inspiration he adds, "It's more intricate than I've ever done before, with more textures coming together. It's like a melting pot." Jacquard, lace, metallics, sequins, organza... it certainly it is, but a thoroughly beautiful one too.