Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Spring 2017 RTW. The designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi looked to society’s decay, to subcultures, cults and witchcraft.
Two days ago Preen by Thornton Bregazzi presented their new 2017 collection at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre for London Fashion Week. Their collection was vivacious and multifarious, packed with influences and fabulous clothes you felt women would take real joy in wearing – something which has been strangely lacking so far this season. The designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi looked to society’s decay, to subcultures, cults — and witchcraft — for this highly embellished, color-packed collection that at times felt overwhelming, with a flounce too many.
The whole collection was spellbinding, especially to see in close-up, with the faces and necks of the models decorated with dried field flowers, leaves, and ferns. Jeans with rips at the knees and lace-singed tulle at the ankles, skirting fit with French-made touches, stockings with boudoir stitching, and ruched polos—these were the opening standouts of Thornton Bregazzi’s Spring 2017 Preen collection.
Star motifs and ruffles were key, and the approach to denim—in white, distressed, with lace details—was fresh, youthful. Signature plaid pieces, with ruffles upon ruffles, came in pastels. So did a series of beautiful sheer ruffled numbers. Lurex additions, like dresses held up by strings and ankle-length silver skirts, added flare to the star theme.
These two are flourishing with confidence and were certainly in a statement-making mood. Spring 2017 turned out to be pure creative magic for them, in probably the best collection of their career.