Tuesday 19th February 2019 

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ETHEREAL classical music plays as herds of faux-fur-coat-wearing and Antonia-bag-clutching guests arrive to the Shrimps show space. A lilac carpet runs down the centre of the runway, which to begin with is concealed with a plastic cover that is later unveiled minutes before the show.

 

The backdrop, a celestial painting by artist Ryan Driscoll, depicts the Goddesses of Greek Mythology surrounding an archway from which the models later appear, gliding on to the runway as if descended from heaven.

 

For Autumn Winter 2019, founder of Shrimps, 28-year-old London-based designer Hannah Weiland, hosts her first runway show. After showing her work at intimate on-schedule presentations, during London Fashion Week, for the past four years, this season the Shrimps women grace the runway for the first time.

 

The collection takes inspiration from Greek Mythological stories and the women that they portray, something that has always fascinated Weiland. For AW19 she successfully brings together her background in both History of Art and Textiles Design harmoniously, producing a collection that is considered and witty, in classic Shrimps style.  

 

In celebration of women, the silhouette is decisively feminine and the colour pallet consists of vibrant orange, soft apricot, lemon yellow, peacock blue and gold, in Grecian inspired satin and faux fur, as expected. These colours are combined to form a large check print that features across the collection. Driscoll’s painting is somewhat reimagined as a modern and graphic jacquard print that also features repeatedly.

 

Black lace appears throughout the show, on dresses, jackets, skirts, gloves and tights. The show closes with a floor grazing tiered black lace gown, which is paired with a black faux fur headband and Dr. Martens biker boots, creating an interesting contrast.

 

Other accessories include headbands, barrettes and earrings all adorned with pearls and diamantes, as well as adaptations of the signature pearl Antonia bag. This season the bags a reimagined in different shapes and colour ways with added floral motifs, knotted macramé and scallop shell embellishments, perhaps a reference to Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus.”

 

The collection as a whole plays on the idea of the ethereal, but also addresses life as a modern day woman. It is hardly surprising that since the launch of Shrimps in 2013 the brand has established a cult-like following.