F A S H I O N // The only winter wear: Christopher Raeburn

Christopher Raeburn is my kind of designer.

I uhhmed and ahhed about writing this post. I don’t usually like writing much about fashion week. It’s covered from so many angles that I often don’t feel the need to, and I prefer to quietly watch and admire from a distance. However, I felt I had to write a little about this collection.
As much as I loved a lot of the collections this season, many slipped from my mind after fifteen minutes, but Christopher Raeburn’s has lingered.  He has such an understanding of the British elements that I look to him each season in anticipation of his next invention to keep me safe and dry. His garments are pretty much ready for anything- rain, sleet, snow. ..Sunshine? Plus, anyone who designs extra pockets for energy bars has my approval. What would be a simple trench or military jacket is reinvented in Raeburn’s hands to include the latest techno-fabrics, readying us for the most extreme of British weather (whilst ensuring we look fab at the same time).

When it comes to winter dressing I am incredibly ‘normal’. There are no 6” heels in sight, no taxi hopping to avoid unexpected drizzle. No. I’m the trainer wearing, hood-up, brave the storm kinda  girl (often spotted with running mascara and windswept hair), and if you’re anything like me, Christopher Raeburn will be your kind of designer too.

People often have this image of ‘fashion people’ tottering around clutching non-existent handbags and topping up their lippy, but the reality is oh so very different. Imagine packed trains, looong commutes, rain, wind, armfuls of notebooks, cameras, fabric swatches, books (you name it it’ll be in our bags). Unless we have our own chauffeur or a team of people to carry our belongings, our micro bags and Louboutin’s are left gathering dust at home. *side note- Haha I wish I had Louboutins to gather dust!*
What we really need is warm, waterproof and well- organized.  There’s nothing worse than cowering over the contents of my bag trying to find my train ticket in a sea of rush hour commuters. I need pockets- pockets, for my phone, keys, camera, tickets, snacks…

Thankfully we have people like Christopher Raeburn on our sides, and his A/W ’14 collection didn’t disappoint. Sticking to his sustainable mantra many of his pieces included upcycled elements in natural tones (and the odd pop of succulent tangerine). It was pretty much everything I can imagine myself wearing next winter (and every winter from now on for that matter).. Oversized pockets graced every trench and turned up culotte, forgiving loose fitted jersey dresses with rucksack strap shoulder inserts, fur trimmed parkas (and that incredible cream fur jumper), marbled prints, metallic quilting and shit loads of shearling. Accessories included knitted beanies, fur stoles, rucksacks, mid length shocks, chunky boots, and those adorable leather and fur pouches- so cute!
I'll continue to cross my fingers in the hope I'll be able to afford one by next autumn (doubtful), but one can dream. I think this collection is the only thing making me hope it stays cold for a few more weeks.. But not really. Roll on spring!