# Loose Thread Fashion The Phoebe English SS12 Collection is Raw and Unfinished By Meghan Young | Published 2012-01-27 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phoebe-english-ss12 References: [stylebubble](http://www.stylebubble.co.uk/style_bubble/2012/01/new-english.html) & [phoebeenglish](http://phoebeenglish.com/) Loose threads may be the bane of many people’s lives, but the Phoebe English SS12 collection embraces them. As though assuming the popular mantra, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” the fashion collection does just that. In fact, it goes a step further by turning these unraveling annoyances into works of wearable art. The Phoebe English SS12 collection centers around a unique technique of smocking that yields somber, but delicate frocks with raw, unfinished hems. The Phoebe English SS12 collection was showcased at the Merit Award and Ones to Watch shows, which were both organized by Vauxhall Fashion Scout. Her designs were so well-received she walked away with Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Merit Award for AW12. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 53% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Embracing Loose Threads:** There is a trend in the fashion industry to embrace and showcase loose threads, transforming them into works of wearable art. - **Unique Smocking Technique:** The use of a unique smocking technique in fashion collections is gaining popularity, resulting in somber yet delicate frocks with raw, unfinished hems. - **Raw and Unfinished Aesthetic:** The raw and unfinished aesthetic is becoming a sought-after trend in the fashion industry, providing disruptive innovation opportunities for designers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion and Apparel:** The fashion and apparel industry is at the forefront of embracing loose threads and exploring unique smocking techniques to create raw and unfinished garments. - **Design and Textiles:** In the design and textiles industry, there is a growing demand for innovative techniques that incorporate loose threads and unfinished hems into artistic creations. - **Fashion Events and Shows:** Fashion events and shows, such as the Vauxhall Fashion Scout, provide platforms for designers to showcase their raw and unfinished collections, creating buzz and disruption in the industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Whimsical Spring Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Anna-Suis-SpringSummer-2025.md) - [Fabric-Centric Spring Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sage-nation-5.md) - [Politically-Inspired Runway Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selkies-the-libertine-collection.md) - [Whimsical Feminine Runway Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wild-rose-sparrow.md) - [Modern Tailored Spring Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graphpaper-ss26.md) - [Sustainably-Focused Experimental Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-fashion-collection.md) - [Urban Deconstructed Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louther-x-carhartt-wip-fw25.md) - [Artful British Craftsmanship Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/assemblage-7-lost-and-found-ii.md) - [Pattern-Heavy Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/needles-new-collection.md)