Spring, Summer, & The Secret Garden: Mulberry RTW S/S 2011

The sun is shining, the snow is nowhere to be seen and all over the city people are slowly but cautiously unlayering. Is it spring? I find it oh so entertaining that we, the British, as a nation have such a penchant for stripping off at the first sign of sunlight. Quick, grab the nearest patch of dry grass! This is probably because as a country, we only get about two or three weeks of actual summer per year, and thus, we have to unilize what we've got.

I am so excited for spring. It's my favourite season. Spring is the time that gorgeous outfits aren't ruined by layers of chunky knit, and lovely summery dresses can creep out of the closet and into the sunlight without being ruined by dubious sweatpatches and heaving stickiness, like in the summer. I get to dress nicely, but im not uncomfortable because of the temperature, and most importantly, i don't have to strip off (not that i would anyway!) It's a pretty perfect season for me.

The classic British Summer Holiday. Lovely!

All this talk of spring and summer approaching means that without realising it, i've started trawling back through the internet archives of September '10 for everyones Spring/Summer 2011 collections for inspiration. I'm no catwalk queen but i love nothing better than to sit and flip through the collections for ideas. Most of the time, my favourite designers are spot on. Mulberry, as always, one of them.

The Mulberry show was at Claridges, and the catwalk itself was Secret Garden themed with huge coral flowers and "stone walls," so perfect for spring. The collection itself is everything you would expect from a Spring/Summer collection, but Mulberry always manage to go one step further.

 “I’m always really inspired by film and for this collection it was Grey Gardens – both the documentary and the remake – and the Secret Garden. I love the idea of this amazing magical world and I think that’s quite Mulberry,” the label’s creative director Emma Hill speaking to Vogue.com

images@vogue.com

Pale pinks? Check. Beige and muted tan tones? Check. Pale denim? Check. All the makings of the perfect Spring/Summer collection, but it's all about the cut and line. Spring collections are reknowned for soft, floaty fabrics, but this collection uses sharp tailoring with beautiful soft fabrics to go against the grain. There's obviously a very heavy vintage influence, which i absolutely adore, with some sneaky zebra print thrown in. I think this is why i love the collection so much. 

Most of the hemlines hit below the knee, which is unusual but again, hints at a beautiful, classy era long gone. Spring has officially grown up. I think it's safe to say that if i could sell my soul to dress like this during the spring, well, i dont even need to answer that.

The collection also debuted some wondefully quirky arm candy, such as the Tillie, as well as variations on the beloved Alexa bag.

It also wouldn't be right to mention who i, personally think was the star of the show. The absolutely gorgeous puppy that paraded down the catwalk like a pro and looked too cute to refuse. Probably the most chic dog around. I think the only thing that could beat wearing Mulberry is a Mulberry clad puppy. Maybe it's just me.

Beautiful. I certainly know what kind of look i'm going to be going for this Spring. Sometimes we assume that it's not possible to do Spring/Summer gorgeous and girly without going floaty or even translucent, but it's completely achievable, and Mulberry hits the nail on the head as always. You can view the whole show in video format by clicking here!
Now, all i need is an adorable puppy and to go to the seaside, and i'd be a very happy bunny.

I'd love to know who your inspirations for the oncoming Spring are. Who do you think is doing it right this season?

Love always,