WHILE some may mourn the end of summer, there are some of us who rejoice in the return of seasonal layering and warm textures, while transforming pavements into catwalks strutting in sturdy winter boots.
Harvey Nichols stirred up enough excitement for the coming change in temperature with its annual Autumn/Winter fashion show on Wednesday 1 October.
The winter coat - undoubtedly the most necessary fashion investment each year - has been supersized by designers for both fashion and comfort.
The city’s fashion fans including Leanne Brown, Jane Given, Chantelle Heskey, Jude Cisse, Bouchra Van Persie, Vesna Kolarov, Dani Lawrence and Erin O’Neill all attended the anticipated event.
Set to bass-ridden anthems by Kiss FM DJ duo, the Dixon Brothers, the department store set the fashion forecast for the next coming months.
There were clear trends to take note of.
Thigh and knee high boots are making a vallant comeback this year, offering up a welcome alternative from most girls' winter shoe choice, the ankle boots . Shoe designers such as Nicholas Kirkwood have embraced the leggy trend and the catwalk looks suggested we brave the cold by pairing our boots with shorts and mini skirts.
The winter coat - undoubtedly the most necessary fashion investment each year - has been supersized by designers for both fashion and comfort.
Harvey Nichols debuted a bold and oversized jacket by Chloé and guests fawned over tints of taupe, latte and fawn with slate shades framed in oversized coats and knit jumpers. See below:
Oversized Chloé coat (£2445)
From the opening, named trends ‘Arts Inspired’ and ‘Craftwork’ lead the way for those who are partial to adornments, key looks from Raf Simons, Dries Van Noten and Karl Lagerfeld, Coach, Aquazurra and Isabel Marant were high on the hit list.
The nude-hued model makeup looks were provided by Bobbi Brown with shimmering shadows and contoured cheeks a key look. Sticking to a minimilist theme, hair was kept sleek with side parted styles and basket-weave ponytails created by Harvey Nichols in house hair salon, Umberto Giannini.
While most of us may opt for darker palettes during the winter months, Harvey Nichols championed colour for both day and eveningwear. The ‘Red Alert’ segment came with a series of vivid scarlet shades and a BCBG gown stole the show.
BCBG Gown (£435)
Other styles of note came in plaid and leather, with male guests most taken with a 'Tonal top-to-toe' look of leather trousers and dark framed glasses. For other menswear looks displayed, the jury is out on the 'sport luxe' trend, however. Designers KTZ debuted a bold matchy - matchy sweatshirt and leggings ensemble that would only suit the brave of heart.
See the gallery below.
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All outfits are available at Harvey Nichols, Manchester.
Givenchy shirt (£315), Neil Barrat knit (£195), Moschino pants (£855), Nicholas Kirkwood boots (£550), Marc By Marc Jacobs (£490), Givenchy glasses (£215)
KTZ Sweatshirt and leggings (£455, £355) Royaums shoes (£445), Givenchy Bag (£910)
Marc By Marc Jacobs sweater (£280) and skirt (£395) , Saint Laurent shoes (£440), Balenciaga (£1565)
Alexander McQueen Jacket (£1340), Gucci shirt (£305), Nicole Farhi Trousers (£225) Christian Louboutin Shoes (£630) Dolce and Gabbana Scarf (£225)
Isabel Marant Knit (£515) and skirt (£255), Dolce and Gabbana Bag (£1425), Stella McCartney boots (£415)
Alice +Olivia Dress £510
