London Fashion Week AW22 Highlights: Bora Aksu

Bora Aksu's AW22 show kicked off London Fashion Week with a lighthearted collection of clothing in a palette of navy, butter creams and dusty pinks, taking inspiration from 14th Century renaissance Europe.

The show took place in St James' The Less Church, creating an atmospheric backdrop to Aksu's signature demi-couture style that blend, masculine and feminine silhouttes, tailoring and tulle.

Bora Aksu's was inspired by the life of writer, poet and historian Christine de Pizan, who is often heralded as Europe’s first feminist. De Pizan spent most of her life as part of the court of King Charles VI of France and overcame the immense challenges faced by late medieval women to become the first woman to earn a living purely from writing; paving the way for the generations of female authors that has continued into the modern era.

Flowing gowns and structured separates evoked the vibrant romance of de Pizan’s life whilst fine details reflect the affluence and power associated with her place in Renaissance France. Aksu also brings a blend of the hyper-masculine and ultra-feminine that simultaneously juxtaposes their differences while highlighting the beauties found within the overlap.