LFW: Rosanna Falconer Shows How To Rent Your Fashion Week Wardrobe
Images: Kirstin Sinclair
As London Fashion Week kicks off, Rosanna Falconer shares her fashion week wardrobe with help from Hurr.
The street style phenomenon is well-known and much documented. Though some might accuse the more outrageous attendees at London Fashion Week of peacocking, I always find the people spotting joyful: from students in their own creations to savvy stylists in vintage finds. For years, friends in the industry have spoken of the pressure of outfits; I remember box after box of new season options used to arrive from online stores when I worked in-house on LFW marketing. But there has been a change in spirit as the industry takes note of sustainability and proudly re-wears pieces from many years ago or borrows from one of the new generation of rental sites. After all, these are women accustomed to borrowing samples for events from designer friends in the industry – they’re open to rental and all that it represents! I will often borrow from the designer’s collection for their specific show, but aside from this I embraced Hurr this season. I’ve long been a fan of the site for event dressing and magpie-worthy accessories. No better place to showcase them than on the catwalk outside of the shows!
Day 1
Pink layered on pink, from blush to peony. My outfit is made of up sheer layers of sorbet shades so I played this up with a statement accessory from Hurr. The fabulous British designer JW Anderson is well known for his waiting-list worthy shoulder bags. The anchor bag became a street style icon, toted from the shoulders of editors and models. When I invest in a designer bag I would usually choose a neutral tone or black – a classic that will not date – so I loved the chance to take out this candy pink version for the day.
Day 2
After 24 fashion weeks (starting behind-the-scenes at the British Fashion Council, then in house at designer brand Matthew Williamson and finally now as a consultant), there are times when you realise you need to skip a show or two! In this case, it was the wedding of a wonderful friend I have known since childhood. A balmy September day in the English countryside called for last of the summer florals. This Zimmerman dress from Hurr is surely the ultimate wedding look – a pretty print, light cotton, modest enough for the church and the perfect length and cut for a swish on the dancefloor. I paired it with the powder pink JW Anderson clutch from yesterday and a headpiece to match by British milliner Jess Collett.
Day 3
Back to London and the city was basking in an Indian summer. I returned just in time for the thought-provoking presentation of Phoebe English, whose show notes asked: “Fashion in a time of emergency. How does design evolve? […] This collection is founded on attempts at problem solving.” Her meticulously researched, collaborative and creative response encompassed everything from zero-waste pattern cutting to buttons made from milk protein; a fitting time to wear a rented outfit from Hurr and explore a new way to dress at LFW. This LoveShackFancy maxi dress gives me all the Little House On The Prairie vibes (a signature of the brand), but modernised with an ankle length and balloon sleeve. I paired its romanticism with this unisex quilt jacket by Marfa Stance. Seasonless and timeless, it’s a prime example of why the brand is a deserving recipient of the Eco-Age brandmark.
Day 4
A rainbow of colour from headpiece to heels made for the perfect excuse to add statement pieces from Hurr. After all, when going maximal, why not add another talking point? This lip clutch is by British designer Lulu Guinness, held by my nails in every shade of the kaleidoscope! Talking of technicolour, these rented earrings in sorbet shades are by Soru Jewellery from Hurr.
Day 5
The final day of LFW meant meetings and a show in the daytime followed by a dinner for a Brazilian designer at Annabel’s in the evening. This dress by brilliant British design duo Teatum Jones transitioned perfectly.
A recent studio visit to catch-up with co-founder Rob was fascinating: their circularity means not one tiny scrap of fabric goes to waste. Instead, he showed me patchwork in process, created from even 2cm square offcuts. It is then embroidered to make new. None of their fabrics are wasted. They push for change among suppliers too, and share useful contacts and insight in the network of sustainable London designers (they have a WhatsApp group!). This red and pink dress (my favourite colour combination) is made from archive dead stock fabric. It is pleated and made in the UK, with the fabric flock printing process carried out here too, under strict regulations. I played upon the colour tones with this beaded Shrimps bag rented from Hurr.
The same bag was evening-ready, I just added a heel and put my hair up…
Farewell London, next to Milan and the Green Carpet Fashion Awards!
Image credit: Dave Benett
Rosanna’s wardrobe is now available to rent on Hurr. Skip the waiting list and access Rosanna’s wardrobe using her exclusive code: HURRGIRLROSANNAF.
Find out how to do fashion week sustainably and take a look at Rosanna’s last fashion week wardrobe.
Looking for sustainble occasion wear? Find out how these chic wedding guests sourced their outfits without harming the planet.
Launched at London Fashion Week, read about Read about the clothes hanger that’s making fashion distribution more sustainable.