Fashion Brief
Since appearing on the London fashion week schedule for the first time in 2013, L’Wren Scott’s presence was just starting to come into its stride – and move out from the shadow of her famous partner. The model-turned-designer, who stood at 6ft 3in, had a point of view that would appeal to other immaculate alpha women like her. Shapes were long and lean, fabrics glamorous and opulent – a wardrobe for women who are familiar with private jets and travel with only a clutch bag for luggage. Her last collection, for spring/summer 2014, was based on a trip to Japan. It featured prints of cherry blossoms, leather skirt suits and a series of va-va-voom red-and-black dresses, made of lace, leather and chiffon.
Event dressing was Scott’s speciality – and so the ties with Hollywood were inevitable. Her label was founded in 2006 with the Little Black Dress collection, but Scott was also a highly influential red-carpet stylist. She worked with celebrities including Julia Roberts and designed tour outfits for her partner Mick Jagger to wear on last year’s Rolling Stones tour. Her designs had fans in the A-list milieu she occupied: women ranging from Michelle Obama to Angelina Jolie loved her straight-forward, women-friendly glamour. The Headmistress dress, a simple figure-hugging black shift with spotless white collar popular with Madonna and Nicole Kidman, says it all – these were clothes that were sexy, but grownup and high-functioning.
Scott cancelled her last scheduled show, to be held during London fashion week in February this year, at the last minute. It’s impossible to know where her brand would have gone from here, but it’s likely it was on the up. While her dresses typically cost £1,500, Scott was shrewd enough to find ways to get her look out to those on tighter budgets. She launched her own fragrance recently, collaborated with Lancôme on a range of makeup in 2010 and worked on designs for high-street brand Banana Republic last year, modelling in the adverts as well.
