Fall-ing Into You

Although Spring has just unveiled its colors of floral blossoms and the bird chirping in the air, fashion capitals around the world have prepared themselves for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2006/07 collection. Last February, the London Fashion Week saw a new entry from Malaysian designer, Bernard Chandran. The Kuala Lumpur-based designer is renown for his ethnic-inspired couture pieces and a favorite designer among socialites and gliterratis of Malaysia. His first boutique was opened in 2005 and received a tremendous reception from the London fashion fans. For his female ready-to-wear collection, Bernard exhibits the sense of feminine sophistication within his creation. Using all the luxurious fabrics you can imagine, Chandran's creation, consisting of sheer and shiny blouses with elongated sleeves, well-constructed and sexy suits, fake fur stoles dyed in several colors, and the oversized beaded bags had gave a deep impact on the fashion-conscious lots of London.

Singaporean designer Ashley Isham comes with three themes for his F/W 06/07 collection - city, dreams and colors. For the first slot, the catwalk show was opened by a model donned in monochrome tweed and lurex jacket, which were reminiscent of classic Chanel. Later came the succession of more tweed, pencil skirts, tailored jackets and belted coats worn by Hitchcock-style heroines with chignons and heels. Next were a series of floor-length simple yet effective column dresses in beautiful jersey and liquid satin. The show came to a halt and the mood changed. Fake petals rained down the runway and warrior-esque models strutted down in shocking gold and black dresses dripped with sequins. It was a showcase of a melting pot of influences that include the oriental, Moroccan, punk, and African. Also presented at the catwalk show is the menswear collection consisting of jackets and suits in leather, velvet and denim.

For English fashion veteran John Rocha, an ecclectic mix of the 50's and the 18th century is the "theme du jour". Using dark, voluminous fabrics, particularly in the form of stiff bubble-shaped taffeta dresses ruched, elasticated and over-locked in irregular places, Rocha knows how to dress for the cold months to come. To add comfort and luxe at the same time, Rocha has the fondness on textured fabrics such as felted wool, brocade, butter soft suede, leather, washed silk, jersey and velvet to give his collection much more appealling. There were serious details on clothes such as fabricated roses on the cream dress, waistline ruffles, crochets and knits. Also making its appearance for Rocha's next season is the harem pants, a bubble-shaped pants. To add pizzaz to his F/W collection, Rocha accessories such as the felt-embellished structured bag and dress shoes are predicted to be the must have accessories for your wardrobe.

These collections by the designers featured above will be available starting early Fall in mid-August and in Asia, most probably by September or October.

* Photos courtesy of Fashion UK.

Bernard Chandran Couture - KL Plaza, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Ashley Isham - 18, Conduit Street, London W1S 2XN
John Rocha - Debenhams, KL Times Square, Jalan Imbi off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.