Reed has always been attracted to working with found materials, giving precious and forgotten fabrics a new life in his Demi-Couture world. Following last season’s use of silk wallpaper panels, the interiors theme continues with vintage lace tablecloths, damask drapes, bedspreads, upholstery fabrics and antique curtains giving their encore performance in the September 2024 Collection.
Vintage Point de Venise lace tablecloths and shawls have been pieced together on a curved sleeve jacket and bias cut skirt, and a 19th Century French lace curtain panel adorns a crinoline caged dress. A corseted jacket worn with scoop waist trousers features a 1900s French silk damask curtain with golden cherub design, and pale blue silk moiré 19th century interior panels are brought back to life on a wide sleeve corseted back jacket.
Silhouettes feature exaggerated hips and nipped in waists through corsetry, oversized structured lapels, sculptural collars and crinolines, to create architectural shapes that are contrasted with the fluidity of generous drapery, flowing skirts and delicate fabrics. Reed’s signature corsets and crinolines take centre stage, the craftsmanship that usually sits below the garments is exposed and celebrated – a sheer dress with hand appliquéd flowers displays the crinoline beneath, a winged corset exhibits its boning and channels, and a crinoline cage dress showcases the beauty of the structure that is integral to the brands’ silhouette driven designs.
Photos by Suleika Mueller