London fashion week: it's raining Anya Hindmarch handbags as show closes - The Guardian

Models fly above the runway at the Anya Hindmarch presentation at Central Hall, Westminster. Photograph: David Benett/Getty for Anya Hindmarch

Zero gravity emerged as the unlikely trend as London fashion week^[1] drew to a close on Tuesday with dancers suspended on high wires above the catwalk at Anya Hindmarch and athletes performing aerial yoga at Stella McCartney^[2] 's Adidas presentation.

"I wanted the whole show to take place above people's heads," said handbag designer Hindmarch as she was congratulated backstage after her elaborate show. The presentation's title, Out of this World, might have been judged a bold claim for most designers but for accessory powerhouse Hindmarch – who has form in producing slick, fashion^[3] events which follow a theme down to the last detail – it was a fair assessment.

The catwalk set was transformed into a bespoke Hindmarch galaxy. Light-filled globes were suspended above the catwalk and morphed into smiley faces as the show progressed. Personalised astrological charts had been commissioned for each guest on the front row.

This was the first time the designer had shown her collection on models on a catwalk. But despite the neoprene minidresses and high heels, the bags were the stars of the show. In keeping with recent catwalk mores, the models carried every bag one-handed wedged between wrist and hip – using shoulder straps is judged beta in high fashion right now. As the show progressed, bags dropped down from the ceiling rigging on high wires and dangled in front of the audiences' noses – all the better to eye up the luxurious detailing and spread the latest Hindmarch vision via social media.

Knowing humour is key at the brand and this season the luxury in-joke produced metallic crisp packet bags and minaudieres which were based on a Swan Vesta box of matches. The designer said the whole show was inspired by a toy she had seen at an airport in Japan and was six months in the planning. The theme was no doubt a labour of love but with a multimillion-pound brand to show for it Hindmarch's personal indulgence is justified.

Stella McCartney, meanwhile, described her inspired sportswear presentation for Adidas as a "team effort". Staged in a light filled studio the designer wanted to show a collection which fused together sport and style and performance. "True athletes shouldn't have to sacrifice how they look" said the designer who was wearing a snake print dress and heels from her mainline collection.

Synchronised swimmers took to a giant tank to showcase McCartney's slick and fit-for-purpose swimsuits and models "spinning" on on-trend pink exercise bikes showcased graphic printed sports hoodies. A group of sportswomen more used to practising their sport in an East End basement showed off McCartney's pale lime and grey low-waist shorts and leggings to the assembled fashion industry. Aerial yoga involves pulling poses suspended from the ceiling in a large yoga "hammock". Sometimes known as anti-gravity yoga, it provided the second mid-air fashion moment of the week.

As with her own label, McCartney is her own best advert for this brand. With the swimmers behind her she listed her own Adidas wardrobe: "Climacool for running, low-waist pieces for the Tracy Anderson Method and Energy Boost trainers. Because I need all the help I can get."

References

1. ^{^} More from guardian.co.uk on London fashion week (www.theguardian.com)


2. ^{^} More from guardian.co.uk on Stella McCartney (www.theguardian.com)


3. ^{^} More from guardian.co.uk on Fashion (www.theguardian.com)