LFW A/W 12 – Obscure Couture

The Glaswegian duo Obscure Couture showed their collection The Lithium Party with showcase A La Mode in the vaults of the RCA.

For their third catwalk presentation during London Fashion Week, the garments were their signature punk couture mash up of sex and full frontal colour, with corseting, hot pants and gowns. The inspiration was a twenty four hour party, a heady youthful celebration of debauched glamour, with all the madness and glitter that goes with it. Colours were candy bright despite the dark references – for example, a peach leather dress with oversized gold studs was shown with scarlet faux fur jacket and flower head piece. A fish tail gown in lemon and a cigarette pant in the same tone were shown with giant bow tie. A round the clock extravaganza, there were also darker references shown in the leather corset and pant with a pink leather collar from which swathes of pink material flowed, reminiscent of the hazy recollections of intoxicated vision. All models wore bright pink bob wigs with lips painted both purple and pink. A gown with enormous tiered train in black leather, gold and pink was classic Obscure Couture.

The most thrilling look by far was a heart-shaped headpiece pierced by a syringe bearing the words 'Love is the drug' worn with a cocktail dress in opulent gold and pink fabrics and faux fur. The collection was a brilliant and witty example of fast and faceless fashion. Sadly, the only thing that let the collection down was a venue that gave poor visibility to all but the front row. However, the girls from Glasgow clearly have great potential for the future and hopefully they will stage their own show next season.