SADIE WILLIAMS

 

FETISH: LUREX

 

Arctic temperatures may not leave you hot under the collar and perplexed. However, when you are in that moment of lust and intensity, even a little bit of ice can leave you wanting more. Sadie Williams’ ice-cold Autumn/Winter 2016 collection was a sensual experience that commenced as soon as entering the doors of the BFC’s Presentation Space.

 

The room was plunged into darkness and a whistling breeze immediately clung to your body whilst exploring each and every angle of the small show space. This repetitive sound brought a chill to the spine that clasped hold of the mind and drew you directly to the even cooler set design – curated by Marland Backus and Safia El Dabi. The marble effect iceberg draped fluidly as a backdrop, creating a scene that looked honest and authentic. A scene that if you were to touch, it would leave a trickling residue that would slide along your skin in a sensitive notion.

 

Williams formed a very intimate collation, something that a fashion show can’t always effortlessly pull off. The models interacted in a meaningful manner, poising with deep and intensive stares. After catching eye contact on numerous occasions, it left you feeling whole heartedly absorbed in the atmosphere that Williams had created. The experience was certainly a focal exploration for Williams and this is something that leaves the audience feeling fired up and a lot more engaged with the garments. Who needs solitude when you can have depth and intensity?

 

Depth and intensity wasn’t brought to immediate attention whilst observing the pieces in the showcase and this could be because the clothes instead derived from nostalgia of youth and her parent’s ski holidays - hence the title ‘Off-Piste’. However, just because something isn’t provoking attention in an emotional manner doesn’t mean that the garments weren’t truly fantastical.

 

A blend of varying textures from lurex pleated skirts to thick knitted polar necks, padded puffer a line skirts and sequin embellished panel tops and purses invited the audience into a goldmine of tactile exploration. Whether you like it rough with the course lurex metallics or fondling with the cosy traditional knits, Williams allowed us to endeavour into a world of sensual captivation.