LFW SS13: Margaret Howell

Every season Margaret Howell gathers the top Fashion Editors in her Wigmore Street store, and shows what – in all likelihood – they will probably be wearing themselves next season. It’s not usually edgy, and it’s not usually even really seasonal, but damn it’s lovely. Howell has been working and showing in London for decades now, and her simple, clean style makes her one of our flagship exports. Predictably, Maggie opened with her signature style; immaculately-finished tailoring. But then, a surprise: it wasn’t quite as predictable as just white shirts and neatly-tailored trews. Howell’s boxy shirt-dresses and immaculately finished separates were all characterised by a careful pintuck at the back of the yoke which (as all you tailoring students will know) maintains a boxy shape, but also makes it flattering to a woman’s figure. Details like this, alongside more directional individual items like dungarees and sleeveless tailoring really showed the reason that Howell continues to show on-schedule at Fashion Week. She takes an innovative Jil Sander-esque approach to tailoring, and she’s definitely an unsung hero of London’s design scene.

Words: Seb Law

Photos: Kaye Ford