Nicholas Oakwell Fall 2012 Couture

The ballroom inside Claridges Hotel was the luxurious setting for the Nicholas Oakwell Fall 2012 Couture presentation in London last week.

As well as a runway, the room featured four individual quarters where models with rolled retro updos and dark berry pouts made their way around a black sofa and grand piano, stopping to sit and pose for photos.

Inspired by the ‘moody and luxurious’ lounge environments of 1970s New York, Nicholas also counts expressionist artist Franz Klein, as well as the colour palette and mood of 1978 film ‘Eyes of Laura Mars,’ as influences.

For daywear we saw tea-length high-neck dresses, and wool and tweed impeccably tailored suits and coats, some with fur accents. I particularly like the looks with a lattice cape detail.

Evening wear is where Nicholas really excelled.

The luxe beaded robe with fur collar I could image Joan Collins wearing in an episode of Dynasty.

Other pieces which caught my eye were the orange ombre ruffled full-length dress and the silver bugle beaded gown on a nude chiffon. This dress would look great on Florence Welch. In fact, a lot of the gowns would.

The suede sandals, some accented with mink, were courtesy of Nicholas Kirkwood.

Who I See Wearing This Collection: Florence Welch, Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Penelope Cruz and Emilia Fox