Survival of the Fittest
We never imagined it possible to top Ted Baker’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection, but lo and behold the London fashion powerhouse soars even higher this season with ‘Survival of the Fittest’ poised to be autumn’s must-have collection.
Launched in a warehouse-style location in central London, the standing room only event bursts with excitement as music from Calvin Harris, Empire of the Sun, Michael Jackson and The Stone Roses perfectly compliments the catwalk-presented collection. Celebrating the great outdoors, the A/W12 collection oozes with lush autumnal tones of burnished berries and earthy hues to create a heart-warming palette that embraces rustic beauty and rural charm. Town meets country with heritage fabrics and classic silhouettes sitting alongside modern pieces that are perfect for any occasion.
Menswear
For men, heritage fabrics are mixed with functional materials to create heavily detailed pieces that are second nature to Ted. Suede shooting patches, contrast elbow patches and knitted panels are key on both knitwear and outerwear. Nylon gilets feature tweed shoulder patches with cord collars; puffa jackets are more technical with waxed canvas contrast details or fur linings and herringbone check shoulder patches.
Flecked knits in nap yarns create further texture while Fair Isle and Navajo printed knits appear on everything from crew necks and cardigans to bags and gloves. Textural highlights continue on accessories with rucksacks, satchels and holdalls mixing leather, canvas and tweed fabrics.
For a smarter look, tweed and wool jackets celebrate Britain’s heritage with steam train and pheasant inspired prints and pheasant lapel pins. Slim and classic fit colored chinos remain important alongside newer, slim fit cords in rich rustic tones of burnt orange, mustard and nettle green. The collection also sees the resurgence of denim with heavy selvedge classic fits styled with statement turn-ups. Layer up with puffa jackets and fur trim parkas teamed with chunky stripe knits or shirts and knitted ties.
So it’s survival of the fittest with Ted this season: the finest menswear, womenswear and accessory collections distinctively designed to ensure you do not blend in with the surroundings.
Womenswear
For women, Ted’s signature prints are inspired by botanical vintage finds with the foxglove, sweet pea and decoupage cluster prints cultivated as focus placements or seen to grow all over dresses
and separates.
Tailoring takes on a natural influence with tweed jackets and trousers furnished with wooden buttons. Berry and nude fur coats and tippits add glamour, while bouclé jackets offer a touch of heritage luxe. Texture makes an appearance with chunky knitted yarns sitting back with finer rib knits, complete with peplum detailing. Angora blended dresses in simple A-line shapes soften the silhouette. The collar is a key focus, whether plain or embellished, appearing on everything from woven dresses to fine knits.
Elements of the collection take on a more contemporary, minimal silhouette with clean lines and bold color coming to the fore. Slim-line, ankle-grazing denims pop in burnt orange and ochre. Day dresses are blocked with solid bands of color, while graphic painterly prints feature on softly draped midi-length dresses. Melton outerwear adds punch in autumnal brights with shapes that either nip in the waist with the essential peplum or add structure such as the metal clasp fastening cape.
Colored animal print clutches, oversized bags, gloves and belts provide the finishing highlights.
