This year Orla Kiely’s SS14 Presentation took us to a trip to the African plains, via Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.
Models enjoyed camp life, catching butterflies, painting landscapes and examining things with giant magnifying glasses. Classic organza tea dresses were accessorized with binoculars bags and berets. Shorts and zebra print tees kept it casual, and jumpers embellished with sequined lions added whimsy.
I was lucky enough to sketch backstage. Even in rollers and bomber jackets the models looked effortlessly cool. Last minute alterations were made to outfits and a team armed with irons, steamers, needle and thread made sure everything was perfect before the show. Backstage was a bit of a surreal world, with bubble wrapped giraffes, and butterflies in jars. I kept overhearing things like ‘Everyone have shoes? Yes??’ and ‘Have you moisturized your arms yet??’
