Gothic Beauty - The Dark Side of London Fashion Week

Dark is back, these two last collections presented yesterday at London Fashion Week seem to claim.

Gareth Pugh models looked like warrior queens. The focus was on strong, emphasized shoulders in dark grays and black. A very theatrical collection, with some black samurai-like creations, voluminous skirts all made of goat hair, and dresses made from zippers, safety pins and PVC. The show was completed by white face make up and black lipstick.

Giles Deacons line, freely inspired by horror flick “The Masque of The Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe, features “femmes fatales in a gothic disco”, as put by the designer.

Showpieces in the shades of dark blood reds, blacks, blues and grays were puffy satin vests, webbed looking sweaters, billowy floor sweeping capes, and insecticidal dresses. To complete the dark look, also Deacon’s models walked out wearing white face makeup, black lipstick and in some cases, gauzy veils tied around their faces.

But that’s not all with dark and gothic. There is no need to wait until next fall-winter: look at the photo shoot by Steven Klein featuring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson in last issue of W magazine. The two actresses, wearing all pieces from Miu Miu Spring Summer 08 collection, seem to be two dark lady icons, promoting this look rather than their new movie.