Manish Arora

The first day of London Fashion Week concluded with an opulent and outrageous show by LFW newcomer Manish Arora. Arora, a couture veteran and an obviously loyal client base, was not one to shy away from the challenge of showing at such an iconic event. His show started with an exotic dance performance, after which the models emerged, faces adorned with colourful glitter, wearing what can only be called psychedelic colours and shapes. Arora played with traditional silhouettes like the late nineteenth century bustle, interpreting it in his own quirky way with a vertical column of discs that resembled a flight of stairs leading upwards. The belting on various pieces recalled the Japanese kabuki.

The effect of the evening was one of Bollywood meets Cirque de Soleil; a constellation of riotous colours and shapes that transported one on a journey through the Far East, stopping in India, Thailand, Japan and China without a moment to catch one's breath. Arora demonstrated a predilection for a-line shirts, military style coats with an abundance of prints and plenty of gold detailing. Huge collars on jackets recalled gorgeous warrior princesses, while extravagant epaulettes conjured up images of the latest in military styles.

Arora displayed a fear of minimalism; each surface of material featured prints or adornments, with the models looking like exotic butterflies. Not for the faint of heart, but certainly not predictable, Arora represents the kind of designer who likes to shake this up a bit. With a standing ovation, it is safe to say that he seems to have hit the right notes.