Lou Dalton Fall/Winter 2016

For AW16 Lou Dalton looked outside of the city for inspiration, focusing on the history and beauty of her home away from home, the Shetlands. Country dwellers emerged on the runway, in a myriad of earthy and stormy hues. Land and sea played a key role in forming the styles for the season. Navy teddy fleece bombers, cable knit jumpers and hats, unbleached denim wide leg trousers and waterproof overcoats all hinted to the windy and wet conditions faced by fisherman in the North Sea. Meanwhile, ivy Nylon trousers, tweed dropped shoulder MA1 jackets, brushed wool coats and oversized faux fur style fleece pieces came fresh off the Highland moors. Likewise, merino wool jumpers produced by John Smedley featured blurred ink markings like that on sheep and other livestock.

Textured plastic leather look trousers and coats contrasted with the organic textures in the show. Waistlines were low and the silhouette loose fitting and laid back, the pyjama silhouette alluding to the slow pace of the countryside. There was the occasional waist belt detailing with a simple cotton tie; intricacy was reserved for the painted webbed knits that were reminiscent of a fisherman’s net.

This season Dalton collaborated with British heritage shoe label GRENSON, on white and black leather lace up hiking boots, featuring steel embellishments on the toe. Other interesting details from the show included simplistic gold ‘tag’ earrings, knitted long-johns and accents of baby pink on layered undershirts.