ASOS goes to Africa
In this guest post, Katy Spry reports from the ASOS autumn/winter 2012 press day, held at Somerset House, where she discovered African-inspired eco fashion and lots of chunky accessories.
Venturing up the spiral staircase in the Embankment Galleries at the Asos press day, it was the ASOS Africa collection which immediately caught my eye. As someone who studied sustainable and ethical fashion at university, this was a range which strongly resonated with me. It was created in 2010 in collaboration with SOKO, a charity which helps create fashion production jobs in Africa. £5 from each affordable garment sold – prices start at a rather bank balance friendly £25 – goes straight to the organisation. Available in a variety of lively colours inspired by traditional African Kitenge patterns and intermixed with animal prints, the pieces are balanced out by their simple silhouettes. Definitely one for print-lovers, there’s even a reversible jacket (image 9 below). The ASOS Africa spring/summer 2012 line launched last week. If you ask me, fashion with a conscience never looked so good.
What first springs to mind when something is described as clunky? That word doesn’t have the best connotations when it comes to style does it? However, ASOS are set to turn this around with their latest shoe and accessories collection which has a distinct running theme of – that’s right – clunk. Combined with heavy biker-chic influence and the occasional flash of gold, if these new boot styles are anything to go by it will be hard for us to suffer any foot-related faux-pas this winter.
All the jewellery displayed was based on hand-made pieces, hence their notably decorative appearance such as these very chic, non-threatening knuckle dusters:
Rather than being intimidating, I reckon they’re more likely to provoke a ‘where did you get that?’ reaction as opposed to ‘oh, I didn’t know Mr T had a car-boot sale.’
Black leather and gold is a combination which has managed to stay relevant over the last few seasons as it seems to be constantly reinvented. Along those lines, another great find were these gold paillette embellished gloves by ASOS Revive. Very MJ-esque in the best possible way – to the point I felt overcome with this sudden urge to grab my nether regions and holler a high pitched “Ow!” Luckily for all parties involved, I refrained.
Ever wondered where that old sofa your Gran had back in the early nineties ended up? Well it looks like ASOS got their hands on it and that floral upholstery will soon be located south of our ankles in the form of platform boots. I spotted this natty tapestry fabric finish on various other Asos collections showcased on the day.
