Jean-Pierre Braganza fuk@lfw a/w 07

Wed, 14/02/2007 - 2:00pm
On|Off, Royal Academy, Burlington Gardens, W1

Jean-Pierre Braganza likes a challenge and this season he set himself a real humdinger: grabbing the audience's attention while his gorgeous new daughter sat front row in a cute pink romper-suit on the lap of a hot young man. Fashion, it seems, is in the Braganza blood.

It's a testament to Braganza's space-inspired collection that he did convince us to keep our eyes on the catwalk and on perhaps his strongest work to date. Here's a quick rundown of the highlights: model casting, as ever – spot on; footwear, especially the metallic Cuban-heeled boots for boys – stonking; leather and Perspex neckpieces by Hannah Martin – striking; soundtrack by Rakehells Revels – banging.

Other than that we're feeling Braganza's love affair with cobalt blue, his signature narrow-legged trousers, Art Deco-inspired prints, the interplay between fitted and extravagant volumes, the use of jersey pique, silk suiting and wool boucle to create stiff tailored jackets and draped tops and the electric blue leather jacket with sheepskin collar that wouldn't look out of place on the back of an intergalactic dominatrix.

Finally, can we just say that in a week of dull as ditch water press releases, Jean-Pierre should be proud to take first place for his ability to impart information and simultaneously take the proverbial.

Words: Maia Adams
Photos: Ian Gillett