Mark Fast kicked off London Fashion Week with a bold return to his signature realm: sculpted, boundary-pushing knitwear imbued with raw energy.
Photographed runway-side by Matt Draper, the SS27 collection captured a vivid collision between high fashion and kinetic movement, proving once again why Fast remains one of London’s most inventive knitwear masters.
The Vision: Form, Tension, and Motion
Mark Fast built his reputation on intricate stitchwork and body-conscious silhouettes that redefine what knitwear can do. For SS27, the designer leaned heavily into dynamic textures and high-visibility palettes.
Through Matt Draper’s lens, the collection’s structural details take center stage:
- Architectural Stitches: Multi-gauge knit patterns and open-weave cobweb constructions that hug the body without constraining movement.
- Vibrant Palette Shifts: Electric brights contrasted against muted earth tones, designed to catch light and accentuate the wearer’s motion down the runway.
- Modern Edge: Distressed fringes, asymmetry, and technical yarn blends that give traditionally soft knitwear an urban, streetwear-infused grit.
Capturing the Moment: Photography by Matt Draper
Fashion week imagery requires capturing both the macro impact of a collection and the micro details of the fabric. Matt Draper’s coverage of Mark Fast SS27 focuses on the tactile nature of the garments:
“The precision of Fast’s stitch patterns demands a lens that captures weight and movement simultaneously—showing how engineered knits adapt to the cadence of the runway.”
Draper’s photography highlights the dialogue between light and negative space within Fast’s semi-sheer knits, showcasing the collection’s play on transparency, layering, and form.
Key Runway Highlights
| Focus Area | SS27 Design Elements |
| Silhouettes | Body-con mini dresses, exaggerated hemlines, and second-skin separates |
| Materiality | Technical stretch knits, fine-gauge spun yarns, and sheer mesh paneling |
| Styling | Statement footwear, bold accessories, and directional beauty looks complementing the garments’ energy |
Looking Ahead
By setting the tone early in the London Fashion Week schedule, Mark Fast’s SS27 collection reinforces the enduring relevance of tactile craftsmanship in contemporary fashion. Through the photographic lens of Matt Draper, the season’s presentation stands as a striking blend of technical technique and modern street culture.