It's not a catwalk, it's a DOGwalk, as a poodle upstages models at Mulberry show

It's not a catwalk, it's a DOGwalk, as a poodle upstages models at Mulberry show





The best front row so far this season was at the Mulberry show on Tuesday morning: Kate Moss, the female cast of Downton Abbey, Rebecca Hall, and Jessica Ennis, although I sadly did not recognise the gold medal winner out of her normal Lycra.


How Mulberry engineered this feat is anyone's guess, although I imagine they all now possess a brand new bag, which is the whole point of this exercise. Shifting £1,000 bags, which account for a third of all the brand's sales.


The stars were in fact a distraction from what was on the catwalk, which as usual was fabulous: sunray pleats on chiffon dresses with asymmetric hems, oversize pea coats, wide leg trousers, ribbon neck shirts.








Doggy day out: Grey poodle Max stole the show as Mulberry unveiled its Spring/Summer 2013 collection





Poodle power: Anna Wintour looks on as a model walks the runway with the adorable dog

The overriding influence was the Seventies (the brand was founded in 1971, and staged its first catwalk show in 1978), the theme was florals, not just on the clothes but on the sandals and shoe boots and of course covering the bags.

The brand new bag was introduced: the Willow, available in tote and clutch, is a structured bag with an old-fashioned, doctor's bag feel, with fewer aggressive studs and infuriating pockets.




Tongue in cheek: The collection included several floral items








Seventies influence: The designs featured 70s style silhouettes and tailoring with a contemporary feel






The collection went down well with Liz Jones, who said it was another triumph for designer Emma Hill


YOU MAGAZINE'S SINEAD O'CONNELL GIVES HER VERDICT ON THE SHOW:


Following on from Burberry Prorsum’s Quality Street metallics, Mulberry opened the show with caramel leather and metallic bronze.

Key looks were the oversized biker jackets matched with pleated floral 70s inspired dresses.


Emma Hill referenced the younger years of Mulberry with her 70s silhouettes and tailoring. Rural England was also referenced in the ditsy blossom full-on prints.


It was 70s but with a modern edge, contemporary touches were added to keep the look up to date like the biker jacket and the print on print trouser suit.


The overriding fabric on offer was soft, buttery nappa leather: used in coats, skirts and even dresses: it looks gorgeous, but will I imagine be hugely expensive.

Less successful were all the white pieces, adorned with a flower garnish: the white cargo trousers looked a bit Marks & Spencer.


A Willow tote in white alligator is bound to get Biro on it at some point.


But other colours, the biscuits, pinks and nudes or, in fashion speak, the 'Pear Sorbet', 'Berry Cream', 'Light Peach' and 'Mint', were gorgeous and soft.


While a nappa biker, worn over the silk georgette evening gown, was gorgeous, the rest of the biker jackets, which come in floral leather, and canvas, veered into dreaded blouson territory.


But all in all, another triumph for designer Emma Hill, who I fear will be snapped up by an Italian rival soon....




Sunray pleats on chiffon dresses with asymmetric hems, oversize pea coats, wide leg trousers, ribbon neck shirts were the order of the day





Best front row: Vanessa Kirby (far left) Lana Del Rey, supermodel Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, actress Rebecca Hall and Hilary Alexander were in the audience



Golden girl Jessica Ennis sat on the front row with her Mulberry bag by her side




Liz Jones
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