“STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN”

Ryan LO finds himself tiring of kawaii. After living life to the max in a cacophony of candy colours and hyper anime speed, the Ryan LO girl slows right down and finds herself in funeral gothic black and wedding white. She’s trying at being a LADY for a change, trading in the cute for the timeless. Butterflies fluttering across a chiffon dress signify this metamorphosis. SHE’s no longer looking for love. SHE’s her own white knight.

The 2003 hit Korean soap opera Stairway to Heaven was the starting point for LO. Love! Deceit! Heartache! A pre-recession obsession with material possessions! The opening credits consisted of the cast riding a carousel, dressed in wealthy white, accompanied by Ave Maria. LO’s ladies are similarly attired, in tiers of tulle and floral hand embroidery as he revisits past collections, tempering the colour palette to mainly monochrome. And the ultimate accessory for LO’s newfound sense of boujie? Twisted pearls snaking their way across jacquard dresses.

She takes a turn for the regal as LO also borrows pastel shades from Princess Mako of Akishino and her penchant for peach. As a celebration of LO gaining British citizenship, he also pays homage to our Royal Family. Princess Diana’s wardrobe cornerstones such as a Victoriana lace dress, a pussy bow blouse, and a reliable trench coat get the Ryan LO treatment. Even the Queen’s prim purses appear in a special collaboration with Launer, which happens to be Her Royal Majesty’s handbag of choice.

It’s not a royal do without millinery and so Stephen Jones has once again worked on a series of masculine headgear. This time, LO and Jones were inspired by Eton and Harrow boys’ uniforms, Winston Churchill’s Homburg, and John from Peter Pan’s top hat.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes something bittersweet Oh life...

Words by Susie Lau @ Susie Bubble

Styling: Victoria Young/ Makeup: Isamaya Ffrench/ Hair: Sam McKnight/ Nails: Marian Newman/ Casting: Madeleine Ostlie AAMO/ Millinery: Stephen Jones/ Handbags: Launer/ Footwear: Dr Martens/ Venue: St Sepulchre-without-newgate Church