LONDON FASHION WEEK: ANTONIO BERARDI SHOWS AT HALL 20 FEBRUARY

Antonio Berardi dress on the catwalk at the Hall.  With acknowledgements to Elle. 

Lunchtime on Sunday saw Antonio Berardi stage his London Fashion Week event at Drapers' Hall.  Unfortunately I was not one of the 350 invited guests who got a seat along with others who crammed into the Hall.

Antonio Berardi is of Sicilian parentage born in UK.  He went to the St Martin's School of Art and Design.  Today he is one of the few influential fashion designers who runs his own company.

Emma Sells of Elle gave an excellent summary of the event.  'Every season Berardi seems to introduce us to some hidden gem off the beaten track in London. This time it was the incredibly opulent Drapers’ Hall, resplendent with painted ceilings, ancient portraits and the grandest chandeliers.  The luxury surroundings suited the glamorous aesthetic that is the Berardi signature. The handful of beautifully cut coats, all draped fronts and curved seams, that his die-hard fans will surely not be seen out of come next winter. The long wool cape with perfectly tailored shoulders. The pleated and folded wool skater skirts and the metallic trouser suit. And, of course, there were the dresses.' For more details go to www.elleuk.com and search for Emma Sells' review of the show along with a video.

I am certain this is the first time the Hall has been used for such an event and from reading the press coverage, not only jn Elle but also Vogue, Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard and Guardian, the location caught the imagination and was universally considered a superb setting for Berardi's designs.