“MOON LAKE SERENADE”
The ending of Ryan Lo’s tale this season is a happy one. Overwhelmingly so. She stands serene by a moonlit lake, drinking in the night. She’s Lady Oscar from the Japanese manga Rose of Versailles, riding horses and hanging out with stable boys. Blue blood in love with a blue collar. French 18th century rococo aristo attire seen through Lo’s prism.
In the chaos of present day, Lo is finding comfort and joy in unadulterated beauty. In black, Lo seeks solace. The pinks become muted. And in white, Lo finds his calm.
He explored the roots of kawaii by looking at the Japanese illustrator Rune Naito, whose 1960s illustrations of doe-eyed girls with their bouffant hair and retro frocks. By day, she’s cosy in double-faced quilted nylon coats and jackets with matching skirts. By afternoon tea, she’s in drop-waist lace dresses. By night, only a cocktail dress with a voluminous tiered skirt will do. Lo summons the cannon of prettiness and festoons everything with aplomb; corsages, pussy bows, feathers and frills. Matchy-matchy. Tone-on-tone. Not a Ginger Rogers step out of place.
Knitwear, a staple and signature of Lo this season comes in fine mohair, finished with a satin ribbon laced up like ballet shoes. Lurex sweat pants and hoodies are for those that love a Simple Life. Finally, Lo’s speciality of blossoming floral crochet Is worked into Peter Pan collars, bibs, and capes.
Once again, Lo has collaborated with Stephen Jones on exaggerated marabou ski bunny ear muffs, and exaggerated bearskin hats, inspired by Swan Lake and the Cecil Beaton’s costumes for Gigi. The shoes are made in collaboration with Gina, with riding boots fit for a royal hunting session, in lace mesh and dusty pink.
From last season’s nuptials with a knight in shining armour, comes the inevitable. New life as symbolised by three prim and proper prams courtesy of Silver Cross, the Royal family’s baby vehicle of choice. Too posh to push? Never!
Words by Susie Lau @ Susie Bubble
Styling: Victoria Young/ Makeup: Pablo Rodriguez/ Hair: Sam McKnight/ Nails: Marian Newman/ Casting: David Wilton/ Millinery: Stephen Jones/ Footwear: Gina/ Pram: Silver Cross/ Venue: The Dutch Hall