WHAT DO YOU WANT?

“People come in here with a need but they leave with a want,” smiles Marla Collins-Soana, buyer at Retro Clothing, Notting Hill. Sandwiched in-between a garish tourist shop and an unassuming art shop, Retro Clothing is not immediately eye catching as you wander past, involuntarily herded along by throngs of people pushing their way along Portobello Road.

Step inside and you understand why people liken un-cave like places to Aladdin’s Cave. Rows upon rows of previously loved clothing line the walls. A glass cabinet runs along the length of the store, filled with glittering pairs of shoes, their labels twinkling under the lights.

I couldn’t resist, and nor could most of the people, mainly women, in there. I wanted what I couldn’t have, what other people were holding and what I’d seen in magazines. As I clasped an exclusive sweatshirt in my hand, glaring at anyone who dared come close, I eagerly showed my friends.

“That’s so nice,” they both mumbled. “But, it’s just a jumper. Isn’t it?”

INTERVIEW: DANIELLE ROMERIL

Walking into the RTW Emerging showroom at Somerset House, the first designer to catch my eye is Danielle Romeril. Dressed head to toe in her own SS’14 collection, the Irish designer characterizes her brand. Bright whites contrast with blacks and turquoise with the emphasis heavily on texture, as it was in many of the shows seen at NYFW this year. 

This is Romeril’s third collection, having worked previously for Amanda Wakely and then in the studio of Alberta Ferretti. I managed to grab a few moments with the designer asking her about her inspiration behind the collection and the craftsmanship that went into making these pieces. Romeril cites bubble wrap and sticky tape as the main influences behind her collection as well as two cubist artists, Albert Gleizes and Mainie Jellet. The fabrics are Italian and have a slightly starchy feel to them that give the clothes structure when worn both on a hanger and on a body. She took a collage approach to the fabrication of each piece for example looking closely at a sheer top, you will find hand crafted panels of lace perfectly off set against the bubbled fabric. 

The darker pieces have sections of bright turquoise that updates black for summer months. It is a collection that is based on texture and the idea that clothes can look 3D and also very chic at the same time. I leave Romeril sorting through the rail of a cleverly designed collection that slips very nicely into its own little niche in the fashion world. I for one am extremely excited to see where she goes next.

Follow her on Twitter, Facebook or check out her website

Ph. mine