Here comes the sun: independent shops and designers turn minds to summer

Gently gently comes the summer, well earned by those who survived the long and brutal chill. And fashion’s ode to 2013 comes in a flurry of organza, mesh and ruffles, monochrome and checks.

Back in September, London Fashion Week (LFW) presented us with a few key summer trends, defined by a bolder, cleaner aesthetic. With a wealth of local design and retail talent, exciting summer attire is available from the best of Hackney’s independent shops and designers.

A black and white summer

Black, an unconventional ally of the summer months, comes to the fore this season, as if to remind us that a British summer is always a time for cautious optimism. Primitive London stocks swathes of black in experimental formats by local and Japanese designers. The shop-cum-gallery is moving from its birthplace in Haggerston to new premises on Shacklewell Lane this spring. Their unisex mesh biker jacket with ruffled sleeves, from Japanese brand Banzai, provides a harder, darker edge to a summer look, whilst remaining light enough in weight for those warmer days.

To lighten things up, opt for this summer’s combination of choice – black and white. Monochrome creates sharp lines and offers a fresh antidote to obvious summer florals. TOGA, stocked at futuristic concept store LN-CC on Shacklewell Lane, has embraced its affection for black and white, creating bold and high-waisted striped trousers and knitwear.

Sheer layers

Sheer layers in organza fabric and mesh were popular at LFW Spring-Summer 2013 (SS13), played out in Eau de Nile knitted dresses at Mark Fast and on panelling at the Unique show. Not only do sheer fabrics bring depth and scope for experimentation, but incorporating them into a look is like taking little creeping steps towards summer, without going overboard and striding right in. Local designer Martina Spetlova, whose work is also available at LN-CC, has created a dogtooth tunic in sheer burgundy fabric, which is both feminine and boisterous with its oversize sportswear cut.

Time to check in

Spetlova’s tunic ticks multiple boxes by encompassing this season’s affection for dogtooth too. The big players took an interest in varying forms of checks and squares this season, played out in cheery yellows and statement monochrome (see Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs). Stoke Newington boutique Hub stocks a dogtooth top and matching pencil skirt in egg yolk, combining both a fifties silhouette and something of a contemporary cut.

Back to the Future

Designers are tantalised by the advances of technology, and understandably that of fabric production. The use of neoprene, plastics and synthetic leathers in SS13 collections brought some sci-fi futurism to proceedings. Brazilian born designer Lucas Nascimento sent models down the catwalk in tech-lace skirts and zip-up tops, signalling restraint and experimentation. Nascimento, also based in East London, is stocked at LN-CC.

Colour me neon

Neons continues to reign strong into summer, ranging from glowing pastel-sweet shades to lurid day-glow and summer favourite Martina Spetlova sets the bar high with woven fuchsia and electric blue detailing on a LUXE biker jacket.

Embrace the summer! Will it on with a fresh perspective and be inspired by the burgeoning creativity on your doorstep. The warmer months are too short to be spent in the gloom.

LN-CC
18 Shacklewell Lane
E8 2EZ
ln-cc.com

Primitive London
Frederick Terrace
E8 4EW
primitivelondon.co.uk

For more from Rosie Higham-Stainton see Papercuts