Looks from Sykes S/S10
The wind whipped as I ducked into the warm lobby at the Soho Grand Hotel. It was hard to imagine on this miserable day that only a few floors up, a number of London’s up-and-coming designers were showing off their spring collections. Rubbing my gloved hands together, I was escorted to the penthouse level to see what the CFE (Center for Fashion Enterprise) had brought to town.
The day melted away as I entered the top-floor suite, which had been set up as a showroom, giving each label its own space. I did a quick sweep of the room and was instantly drawn to the delicate flowing fabrics and soft colors of Sykes, the label founded by Joanna Sykes, formerly a designer for Alberta Ferretti and Armani. This is only Sykes’ fourth season, but it is easy to see why she has been successful. “The philosophy is not about a theme; the clothes are for wearing,” she tells me.
The designer finds her inspiration in a feeling or a specific mood, which she says is important when designing separates. “This collection is called Intimacy. I had just fallen in love,” Sykes explains. “It is a bit voyeuristic, with a bit of anonymity. I am building something slowly with quiet clothes that don’t have that initial wow factor, but there is something special about the cuts. The appreciation is in the fabrication and finish”
My favorite pieces include a pair of expertly cut black leggings with a 1/4-inch sheer panel running up the back of each leg. This concept was also applied to tailored super skinny trousers, which are paired with a matching blazer. The soft peachy silk skirt with horizontal diaphanous inserts is soft and sexy in an understated way. Overall, the collection is not only timeless but also versatile, an aspect that was demonstrated during Sykes’ presentation at London Fashion Week when 81-year-old Daphne Selfe modeled a pair of metallic trousers.
As far as London designers go, this one is not caught up with being “wacky,” and it seems to be working quite well. Sykes sums it up best, stating, “Whether you are an artist or a designer, you need to be true to yourself”.
Sykes can be found at Elizabeth Charles in New York and L.A., Harvey Nichols and Matches in London, and more.
