LFW: Mark Fast

mark-fast-joanne-black

Inspired by Dimitri Chiparus' sculptures

joanne-black-mark-fast

Signature Knitwear by Mark Fast

Where: Flowers Cellars, Covent Garden
Joanne Black Style: Prada Jacket, Zadig & Voltaire Jeans and polo neck, Ash boots and an Alexander Wang bag

The man who put plus size models on the catwalk is back. And with women such as Crystal Renn taking to the runway, Mark Fast certainly knows how to show big means beautiful.

If you’re going to wear knitwear, it has to be Mark Fast knitwear. Influenced by the bronze sculptures of Dimitri Chiparus, the colours of coral and sea creatures and winter warmth, Fast’s Autumn/winter 2010 collection makes great use of his signature elastomeric yarns, which are designed to cling to anything that moves. But as well as his short, tight and stretchy style, Fast fashion now includes waterfall scarf trails, capes, full skirts and sari-style stoles.

It seems Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister’s wife, approves of Fast’s sexy knitwear. Sat on the front row at the show, she looked lovely in a skirt by eco-chic label People Tree and v-neck sweater by Marks & Spencer, which she dressed up with a large stone pendant from jewellery label La Diosa.

Fast designs clothes for the ‘woman who knows exactly what she wants and takes risks’. That’s why if you’re looking to stand out this autumn you’ll need to slip into one of his colourful body con knit dresses.

LFW Day 2: Mark Fast

Location: University of Westminster
Joanne Black style:
Martin Margiela A/W 09 dress; Sergio rossi S/S 09 edgy ankle sandals; Patrizia Pepe leather jacket A/W 08 and a Lanvin S/S 09 bag.
The collection:
Knitwear has never looked so good. This collection, themed around cinema (in particular the silent films of the 1920s) and inspired by Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich, focused on telling the story of courageous women in society. There was certainly something very powerful about his short sexy knit dresses – with Swarovski embellishments. I also love the way he teamed each of his dresses with Christian Louboutin shoes – which the designer had created especially for the show.
The wish list:
Fast’s figure-hugging black and white print dress with a fantastic geometric shape jutting out from the shoulder was fantastic.
The style:
I loved the fact it was 9.30am and girls were dressed up ready for a night on the town – in short dresses and sexy statement ankle boots. My highlight was spotting Christian Louboutin in the front row, fanning himself with a leaflet.