Esther Franklin fuk@lfw s/s 07

Over at Esther Franklin it was a truly girly affair where we saw predominantly skirts and dresses in a thoroughly refined collection. The emphasis is firmly on eveningwear with voluminous silk gauze gowns which swept majestically along the catwalk and luxurious silk jerseys and cottons that made even the more casual day pieces look sophisticated.

Simple shapes and clean lines keep each garment looking polished and fun details such as ruffled Elizabethan necklines and embroidered detailing add charm to streamlined evening dresses and slinky silk skirts.

Every item seemed to have been designed to emphasise the female form. The fabrics drape and cling in all the right places without swamping the figure and Esther's dresses look comfortable and easy to move in, despite being very glamorous. It's obvious why clients such as Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz have fallen for Esther's take on contemporary elegance.

The colour palette is understated and earthy in muted tones of chocolate, mustard, sepia, smokey grey and bolder brasses and coppers. The colours work well on the delicate, fluid fabrics and help create wonderfully sensuous, feminine silhouettes with an almost ethereal feel.

In addition to her staple evening gowns, some clever tailored pieces are included. This season's love affair with high-waisted shorts provides the perfect partner for a jaunty sleeveless jacket in decadent chocolate. More structured A-line skirts make an appearance and look like toned-down crinolines made for the modern woman.

Though the tailored pieces help keep the collection versatile what really stands out most is the movement and fluidity in each frock and the wearable nature of even the pieces that scream no holes-barred glamour. A superb collection that, no doubt, we'll see sweep along a red carpet near us soon.

Words: Selene Pearson
Photos: Judith Erwes

www.estherfranklin.co.uk