XINDIER - Fashion Shenzhen

The Orient steamrolled into central London on Monday night, with an explosion of peoples’- republic-red, as Chinese label Xindier debuted its collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

Head designer and founder, Xie Haiping’s collection had only one colour – red – enough to have made Chris-de-burgh’s head spin. A-line dresses constructed out of geometric panels, and sheaths adorned with traditional Chinese floral embroidery, were the evening’s prevailing silhouettes. The dresses became more and more fantastical as each model strode along the catwalk to sound of pulsating beats. It was a perfect example of the clichéd phrase, east meets west. And as the show came to an end, the Anglo-Chinese crowd displayed their appreciation as the freemason’s hall erupted with applause.

The evening titled, ‘Fashion Shenzhen’, was organized by The Shenzhen Garment Industry Association (SGIA) to promote the Chinese fashion and textile industry. But after such an eye-popping collection it seems less promotion and more celebration is in order. So go on Xie, paint the town red.

Lamb to the slaughter? I think not!

Rachel's collection, 'the skin I'm in', drew heavily on her Celtic heritage. She mixed an earthy colour palette with flowing silk jersey and structured leather. As the pace of the models and music quickened, the draping became more distinctive, symbolising the wrinkles formed during the aging process.

However, I did feel as if the accessorizing was a little cliched. As the models had rosary beads hanging from their wrists. I'm probably being harsh, as she could of gone one step further and had her models strutting along to the sound of The Cranberries (I'm glad she didn't).

Putting that aside, her collection was one of great beauty and femininity, and as one half of Kingston's debut pair, she sets very high standards for not only future MA students but for debut designers as a whole.