If a ‘man’s best friend’ is his dog then surely his second best friend would be his car. Both of which were referenced throughout the Mulberry, Topshop Unique and Ann-Sofie Back Atelje A/W11 shows. Continuing on from last season, models at Mulberry shared the limelight with their four-legged counterparts. Offering the ultimate in country glamour scruffy canines modeled a Tille quilted dog mac complete with quilted detailing and Tille buckle hardware, and the fisherman dog coat with zips and rivets to match the hardware in the Mulberry Girl's wardrobe. Unique’s Katie Grand styled collection featured an almost entirely dog-themed collection with an excess of Dalmation dotted faux fur: on coats, cuffs, hemlines, collars, gloves and shoes with the furry friends even making an appearance on jumpers and forming the shape of the metal plate of a tap shoe, hidden on the arch of the sole. Models were also given two high buns resembling ears, a dot of black face paint imitating noses and black and white spotted nail varnish. In contrast, but still in keeping with the retro feel of the collection, floaty playsuits were boldly printed with a repeated pattern of automobiles, distinctly paying homage to the 1930s period. Over at Ann-Sofie Back Atelje the car reference was approached at a totally different angle: the silver trouser suit was trimmed with metal reflecting the trim on a car window, a burled wood clutch mimicked a dashboard, a bag was modeled on a car hood and a pleated front skirt implied a tail fin. Streamlined and smartly tailored the feel was definitely subtler than at Unique, although both collections made way for a feeling of glitz, glamour and opulence.
Text by Lucia Davies
