Show report: Nicole Farhi A/W'11

Sunday's hot ticket was Nicole Farhi, attracting the big guns from the industry with a spectacular show staged at London's Royal Opera House

Nicole Farhi Autumn Winter 2011
Nicole Farhi Autumn Winter 2011
(Image credit: Mitchell Sams)

Sunday's hot ticket was Nicole Farhi, attracting the big guns from the industry with a spectacular show staged at London's Royal Opera House

Day Three of London Fashion Week and only the brave are still going strong, with the aid of Vitamin Water, Venti Lattes and Maltesers (Just us? Okay then...). Nicole Farhi pulled in the big guns from the industry with a spectacular show staged at London's Royal Opera House.

Anna Wintour was in attendance along with every fashion editor and editor in chief - who made it their business to be in town of a Sunday lunchtime to see the new collection.

The short, slick catwalk show played with perceptions of masculine and feminine as sharp, graphic shapes contrasted with voluminous silhouettes. Tailored coats with wide, kimono sleeves were worn with cigarette pants and the pinstripe trouser was given a makeover with a cinched-in high waist.

For the evening, Farhi introduced slinky silhouettes with floor length hand pleating (big for A/W), open backed dresses and a striking white jacquard cape dress that had the front row scribbling ferociously in their Smythson notebooks.

Key fabrics included boiled wool, goatskin, suede and silk with embellishments galore - from three-dimensional moulded sequins, to exposed zips and chainmail yarns. Farhi finished the looks with needle-thin metallic heels and statement jewellery for a truly grown-up look.

Nicole Farhi must-haves for A/W11: - High-waisted trousers - Pleated skirt (preferably floor length) - Coat with kimono sleeves - Bonded jersey dress - 3D sequins (2D is just so 2010)