Diversity shines at London fashion shows

Models present creations at the Roksanda catwalk show at London Fashion Week. Photo: Reuters
Models present creations at the Roksanda catwalk show at London Fashion Week. Photo: Reuters
Models living with disfigurement present creations at the Steven Tai presentation at London...
Models living with disfigurement present creations at the Steven Tai presentation at London Fashion Week. Photo: Reuters.
Models present creations at the Steven Tai presentation at London Fashion Week. Photo: Reuters.
Models present creations at the Steven Tai presentation at London Fashion Week. Photo: Reuters.
Model Madeline Stuart (21), who has Down's syndrome, stands amongst models backstage after...
Model Madeline Stuart (21), who has Down's syndrome, stands amongst models backstage after walking in the Burning Guitars presentation during New York Fashion Week. Photo: Reuters.

Flowing lines and vibrant colours dominated the catwalk at the Roksanda fashion show on Monday, with the designer looking to art and architecture as inspiration, while the models' diversity at Steven Tai's presentation challenged perceptions of beauty.

Designer Roksanda Ilincic continued the trend of voluminous sleeves seen elsewhere this spring/summer 2019 season at London Fashion Week, with her striped jackets and long dresses sporting the look.

Models wore trench coats and smock dresses while long bright scarves added pops of colour to trousers suits.

Inspired by murals and ceramics, Ilincic put artistic abstract prints on some of her designs while floaty longer evening gowns were silky and layered.

The colour palette included hibiscus, tobacco, orange, vibrant blues and lemongrass.

On Sunday, Steven Tai looked to Sofia Coppola's 1999 film "The Virgin Suicides", and specifically how the director perceived the 1970s in the drama for his eponymous brand's line.

The Canadian designer used several models living with disfigurement for the presentation of fitted flared trouser suits, safari-like and floral jackets, ruffled skirts and looser outfits with tied rope detailing.

The models feature in a picture project by Tai, photographer Rankin and charity Changing Faces, which aims to challenge how beauty is viewed in the fashion industry with portraits of women with visible scars, conditions and disfigurements.

Several designers have been casting a wider range of models for their shows this season. At Temperley London, women ranging in age and profession walked the catwalk alongside professional models, while at New York Fashion Week, Rihanna's Savage X Fenty lingerie line show featured models of different sizes. 

At New York Fashion Week, Australian model Madeline Stuart, who has Down's syndrome, walked for seven designers. 

She will walk for seven more designers at London Fashion Week.

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