Report by David Hayes

Photograph by Anna Bauer

Boy, was it hot at Christopher Kane. Maybe it was the high wattage front- row line-up, including Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Sir Philip Green, Natalia Vodianova and Miss Joan Collins. Or maybe it was the stellar collection from London Fashion Week’s hottest star. But boy was it hot.

Still, even with all the heat and hubbub, Kane kept his cool with a show that mixed oversized gingham checks on dresses cut with corsetry seams and boning with slashed cashmere sweaters, layers of pastel chiffons with floral sequin motifs, sheer pleats and razor-sharp tailoring – thanks to Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant – all sent out to a melancholy gospel soundtrack by Mahalia Jackson.

‘The Jonestown cult and Jehovah’s Witnesses’, ‘Lolita’, ‘covering up’, ‘teenage bras’, ‘a girl who doesn’t know who to be’… the inspiration was hard to pin down from Christopher or sister Tammy. But who cares? The results spoke for themselves.

Backstage, the temperature cranked up a further notch with the front row and teary-eyed buyers vying for Kane fashion hugs. “I liked it very much,” said Donatella in her husky Italian accent, holding on to her daughter, Allegra. Philip Green and daughter Chloe seemed pretty pleased, too. “Great,” said Sir Philip. “Really nice,” added Chloe. You could almost hear the cogs turning. Don’t be surprised to see a fair bit of gingham in Topshop next season.

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