Ostwald Helgason: Resort 2012

With the resort collections being released bit by bit over the last three weeks, it’s interesting to see the smaller brands whose work stands out amongst the big fashion names.

Resort collections are created as a go-between, between summer and winter months and were originally created for special clients, who would spend the winter months on, well, resort. Thus this created a need for more lightweight, spring summer trends in a time when most people would be wearing woolly jumpers.

Ostwald Helgason is a fairly new label, designed by Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason, who will be showing their seventh collection in September at London Fashion Week. Having seen their work up close at the exhibition in Somerset House last season, the one thing that stands out about each piece is its beautifully crafted tailoring and attention to detail.

Their Resort 2012 collection is no different, with each miniscule detail having been perfected. This being their first resort collection, it’s got a lot riding on it in terms of proving themselves as a label who can match up to big brands. Not to worry- they don’t disappoint. Known for their bright colours and prints, it’s not surprising that an array of prints flood the collection. This is not to say they haven’t moved forward in terms of their design- quite the opposite. The collection reiterates their talent for simple, and effective, tailoring, by creating innovative shapes that are still extremely wearable.

Prints have been transferred onto dresses and jackets, all of which still show traditional signs of tailoring through a white collar, and print-less sleeves, alongside basic monochrome shorts and t-shirts. My favourite piece by far from this collection is the loose jacket with geometrical shapes, filled with bright but not overpowering prints. The outcome is one of simplistic, understated, yet contemporary and inventive design which makes me look forward to seeing their Spring Summer 2012 collection in September.

For more from the collection, visit their Facebook page here and their Tumblr here.

-Emma Hoareau