The Return of the Cook

Is it a bit weird that I beamed to myself when I saw that Emma Cook was back on the schedule at London Fashion Week?  After two seasons of presenting a lookbook collection because of pregnancy, Emma Cook returned to the catwalks with a collection that was far more impactful than her previous two collections (though a white leather appliqué dress is my current lust item... the combo of salmon and white is intriguing the hell out of me...).  They even admitted they went a bit ‘crazy’ for their return.  Crazy in a good way thank god!  Thank you to the Independent for highlighting the fact that every Emma Cook collection has been named after a different vision of ‘Susan’, an imaginary character that Emma has concocted in her head.  ‘Suzy Styrene’ and ‘Right On Susan’ were the names of her previous collections.  Though under no circumstance should I be called Susan (I literally bristle if people call me that because there is no way that I see myself as a ‘Susan’....) her latest AW08-9 collection is called ‘Lonesome Susie’.  I therefore feel dutybound to love the collection and thankfully, it didn’t take a lot of convincing!  Lonesome Susie is apparently ‘an Italian exchange student doing Dolly Parton.  She’s a country-song Susan, all a bit tragic, widows and veils, a bit depressing.’  Ok a tad specific but if we graze over that and skip to the clothes, I think I’m happy to be that Italian exchange student doing Dolly Parton, except without the cleavage... 

Those trademark ways of prints, texture and surface are brought to life with tie dye latex, different tie dye techniques that form almost geometric patterns and an utterly beautiful hand drawn lace pattern.  Last week, as I saw the collection in the airy, light-filled offices of Relative PR, all those detailed ‘surfaces’ really came alive and I just couldn’t stop being mesmerised by that lace pattern especially because it is hand drawn.  Emma Cook is also responsible for designing the first pattern featuring stars that I officially like.   It’s the stars interwoven with webs. (I don’t have many dislikes but patterns with ‘stars’ and ‘rainbows’ just make me go ‘Ugh’ in a way that I can’t explain.)  The different shapes tops and floaty dresses in the lace patterns are all seriously covetable. 

The more stable denim/solid pieces have a great shape to them would be good to buy in to add a certain robustness.

I’m convinced about the tie dye but others may not be.  Still the softest cottons and wearable shapes puts that contemporary spin on tie dye that I think would work.

Webby mesh laced ankle boots are what I need.  Seriously. 

Comments

[odilean]

bless you susie, this collection is so amazing. i have no words. i want that fringe skirt. i want all of it. oh man.

[Row]

I personally love tie dye, but it's one of those trends that is potentially going to look naff come the summer because of high street saturation. Maybe not. We'll see. These dresses look great and I like how Emma Cook has stuck to such a simple palette.

Did anyone see/try the 'How to tie dye in five steps' by Henry Holland in March's Vogue? I loved it! They should have a 'how to' every month.

p.s. Susie - you get a mention in my blog today!

[cate]

love the tie dye, and love the idea to name every collection after a susan. are you really called susan, susie?
i like the denim pieces a lot, but i don't like the combination of salmon and grey in the second picture.

[natty]

Wow - I cant get over how gorgeous Emma's collection is. Floaty without being too feminine and the mesh booties are the best thing ever. I want a pair, any ideas where I can get them from Susie???

[susie_bubble]

I think the tie dye works here...but it is a tricky one...
Cate: My real name is Susanna but most ppl call me Susie or Sooz.... never Susan or Susanne.... never never never

[Renée S. / FashionFillers]

Looks good! Love the colors especially. Though I really don't like those black items.

[Stephie]

the ankle boots in the last picture is major love! also very crazy about the black skirt and tube dress on hangers!

[riz]

The tie-dye is great!! I like the lightness her clothes seem to convey.

these are so beautiful, the airyness the material makes the lace patterns seem like beautiful grey flowers.

[Libertygirl]

A strong collection, I think. I always enjoy her presentations, & I;m glad she's showing again. I'll be passing on tie dye tho! LLG xx

[la petite fashionista]

Loving the colection; even though its all black & white its anything but boring. I am in love with the hand drawn-lace tops & tie dye.

xoxo

[The Clothes Horse]

I love this collection. Each piece looks even better up close.

[Linda]

wow, the lace pieces are surreal! everything in her collection is really interesting...

[enc]

Beautiful details, and tie die that works!

[Drusilla]

I remember wondering where her show went, last season- it WAS good to see her back. Her star prints look a bit like maps of constellations, though- all those lines between the stars, me likey. Defiitely nowhere near as hackneyed as Chanel, though I don't have a thing against star prints- thankfully, emo kids in India don't dress the same as emo kids elsewhere (they're still mildly annoying though).