London Fashion Week: 10 Best Looks From Emilia Wickstead Spring 2017

Inspired by love hotels in South American in the 1970s

By Annabelle Fernandez - published 18 Sep 2016

Emilia Wickstead's clothes have presence. But if bona fide royalty and political boldfaced names wear them, then they had better be. Worn by the Duchess of Cambridge and former British First Lady Samantha Cameron, Wickstead subscribes to a subtle luxury—wit, quality, interesting designs. High class, call it.

Which makes her spring inspiration a curious one. Love hotels in South American in the 1970s. For anyone unfamiliar, these were the brainchild of an amorous Japanese who created the chain for the explicit, literally, purpose of people needing a place to hook up. How this was translated on the runway was via romance, sheerness and a suggestion of '70s silhouettes.

Pussy bow blouses and flowing skirts, printed collared shirts and A-line dresses. Natural waist pants and one pretty, pretty blouse after another. Slim knits in pale colours and jumpsuits with a bit of slink to the trouser.

Wickstead is a go-to for well-shod ladies for dressier events. But don't expect LBDs and goddess gowns. How about, instead, a polkadot strapless extreme A-line in pale pink? Sure to turn heads for its unexpected elegance.

While Wickstead is a favoured designer in the UK, she is relatively unknown in the US despite years designing her own line and working with some of the finest labels in Milan. But a few more clients like Kate Middleton will definitely help her brand awareness as someone offering something different and interesting than the standard ladylike formula.

From: Harper's BAZAAR US