The final show slot of London Fashion Week A/W ’11 is the highest accolade that a designer could ever hope to dream for; so it was always going to be met with the obstacle of unattainably high expectations - before the show had even begun.
But KTZ [Kokon To Zai] need not had worried.
For it certainly delivered – by a masterpiece colourful mile and more. The show’s finale injected much needed colour and all-round zaniness to an otherwise nice but oh-so-predictable Menswear A/W ’11 season.
For every minimalistic cut of the likes of Paul Smith, there needs to be a KTZ to continually push the creative boundaries of the fashion industry; an industry that we have all grown to know and love – but sometimes in danger of lapsing towards the ‘stable’ and ‘commercialised’ territory.
Which is where KTZ steps in.
The finale show was like as if someone had plugged the models into an electric socket and the subsequent explosive results were sent down the runway. I mean that In a complimentary way, of course.
After the first initial WOW factor, it is only then that you can dissect the pieces and see the genius behind the styling.
Chunky colour-block bangles were a recurring theme across the entire collection – taking the mantra ‘if it doesn’t jangle then it’s not a bangle’ to a whole new level of extreme.
Harlequin influences were also subtly apparent, but with a modernised and futuristic twist.
The balaclava was also out in abundance, perhaps playing homage to the unlikely muse of Channel 4’s ‘Phonejacker’ – but also giving an element of mystery which is how KTZ playfully interacts with its audience.
Other highlights include fur mixed with a transparent PVC coat – an allusion to this season’s Faux-real trend.
KTZ - wearable, it isn’t. Nor does it pretend to be. But what it lacks in wearability, KTZ certainly made up for in bundles of fun and an ounce of cheek.
