Gold streamers, oversized red hearts, glitter, ribbon and lace: the Meadham Kirchhoff carnival for A/W14 was a multi-tiered, frothy display of holographic leather, striped velvet and metallic rainbow boots. “Imperfect, accidental, unapologetic,” summarises hair stylist James Pecis. “London is a hub of creative energy, full of inspiring young designers. I always feel we get to do something fun here.”
‘Fun’ is the perfect word to describe the MK sweetshop of devoré skirts, patchwork and petticoat dresses, caught somewhere between 17th century baroque and 90s girl power, which provided the soundtrack as Destiny’s Child and the Spice Girls played out above the sparkling embellishment.
“Imperfect, accidental, unapologetic" — James Pecis
The hair and make-up had a sense of childlike innocence, kinking in unison with the ribbons that hung through the air. “We placed an awkwardly low side parting and blow-dried the hair with a spray mousse for tons of texture,” explains Pecis. “We then created a soft marcel wave and brushed the hair out until it had a light fluffy feel. Right before the girls went out, we placed a contrasting coloured bobby pin on the front hairline.”
As with any Meadham Kirchhoff show, there was a thread of darkness, apparent in the gothic lace tails and necklines on sheer dresses and button-down bodices. “At Meadham, it is all about the character,” says casting director Rosie Vogel. “It is not about conventional beauties, the girls are a little bit more ethereal.”
Text by Mhairi Graham
