ALEXANDER MCQUEEN PRE-FALL 2013 COLLECTION

Pre-fall lines are the more understated of all seasons; not as striking and whimsical as a summer line, nor as heavy and elaborate as a winter range. Practicality is key, when one takes to making clothing for commercial, day-to-day purposes rather than creating elaborate designs that make a statement. Or is it? Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen begs to differ with this pre-fall line for 2013.

Burton turned to ‘the low church, puritans, nuns, and popes’ as inspiration for the collection and WWD tells us that it was ‘the innocence of novices and the humility of the Amish that was Sarah Burton’s vision for pre-fall’.

According to VOGUE, the designer ‘had the basement in the McQueen headquarters in London’s Clerkenwell laid out as a showroom, with tables groaning under piles of accessories (stained-glass window jewelry; brass-buckled pilgrim shoes, and boots, dozens of bags) and the racks packed with clothes whose elaborate detailing and stately shapes can at times rival the output of Paris couture houses.’ With plenty of drama, flair, and Gothic undertones, this line certainly makes a statement. A perfect balance of both practicality and charisma!