Cocktails & a Murder: Tata Naka A/W15-16 presentation at London Fashion Week
By the end of fashion week editors and fashionistas alike are just about ready to put their tired, stiletto-wearing feet to bed, but not before squeezing in those last few all important shows. Getting in a few good shows on the final day is important to say the least – it can make or break a whole trend report! Our biggest fashion week rules? Always be well informed and well dressed! One of our standout presentations from the grande finale came courtesy of Tata Naka, whose two hour presentation at Royal Academy 6 Burlington Gardens was inventively inspired by the popular childhood board game Cluedo. That’s right, on the final day of LFW AW15/16 the iconic game of ‘who dunnit’ was transformed into a fashionable festivity to remember!
Known for whimsical interpretations of fashion, Tata Naka took a humorous approach, showcasing strong shapes and appliqué detailing featuring some of Cluedo’s most iconic murder weapons, including the revolver, the candlestick and the dagger. Pieces featured the faces of the game’s signature characters – Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlett and Professor Plum, anyone? The main character in the Tata Naka murder mystery was based on the stylish Chinese American film star from the 1930s and 40s, Anna May Wong, who played the protagonist detective in her own series ‘The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong.’ Featuring iconic designs such as floral tea dresses, we couldn’t tear our eyes away from the show.
Novelty aside, the collection was a sensual delight, with luxurious velvet, silk and neoprene creating a heady combination of texture and colour. Deep rich green, bold poppy red, geranium blue and orchid white all served as strong bases, offset by pinks, yellows and of course a few shades of grey.
The strength of the colours against the sharp silhouettes made for a presentation like no other! Set against a murder mystery-esque show space, the presentation was finished with shadows on the walls and the illusion of those long eerie corridors for effect. The nondescript background also allowed the clothes to take centre stage. With colours like these, who needs anything in the background upstaging them?!
Standout pieces for us were the two tone knits paired with A-line skirts, the powder pink and blue blossom print crop top and pleated midi combo and, of course, the bags made in collaboration with Yuzefi. In stunning prints and structured shapes, the bags were all about sophistication with just that bit of edge. Described as creating ‘a myriad of textures, themes and possibilities for the wearer to explore and enjoy while developing their silhouette and range’, the collection echoed Cluedo in that there are so many possibilities as to Whodunnit?
In Tata Naka’s case, the real dilemma is Whobuyit? The team at Your Coffee Break can agree that we’ll definitely be snapping up Tata Naka’s collection come AW15!
