London Fashion Week SS24 Highlights: Richard Quinn finds beauty in sadness

London Fashion Week favourite Richard Quinn dedicated his SS24 show to his late father, and the designer – known for his mastery of combining edge and elegance – was inspired by his loss to produce one of his most beautiful collections to date.

Supermodels came out to support Quinn with Britain's Jourdan Dunn appearing in a strapless tulle dress with yellow and blue floral embroidery (main image), and a black bow at the waist.

Jourdan Dunn in Richard Quinn (Ian West/PA)

The designer was in tears when came out to embrace his mother at the end of the show. “In times of great sadness and loss comes a sense of reflection and calm,” read the show notes, which were accompanied by a photo of Patrick Quinn, who died in June.

A handwritten caption printed on the other side said. ‘This one’s for you Dad’.

A performance by five ballet dancers that opened the show – held in a ballroom at the historic Andaz hotel in East London – was billed as a celebration of “a wonderful father, grandfather, brother and husband”.

Quinn – who famously won the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, presented by her late Majesty, in 2018 – has become known for his floral prints and almost couture-level of craftsmanship.

The SS24 collection focused heavily on the latter, with a slew of stunning eveningwear ensembles.

The first look was a ballerina-esque white full-skirted dress with sparkling embroidery, which was followed by a series of black and white outfit.

Standout pieces included mesh dresses with embroidered boned skirts that looked like birdcages, and a lipstick red ruffled cape gown (one of the few brightly-coloured looks).

Richard Quinn (Ian West/PA)

Some column dresses were so heavily encrusted with sequins and beads, you could hear them rustle as models glided by, while other voluminous gowns appeared light as air.

The contemplative mood was continued with the design of models’ make-up.

“Slightly somber, slightly fragile, like a really beautiful Victorian portrait,” is how MAC make-up artist Terry Barber described the look.

“It’s a shadowy grey eye, and I’m using a little metallic gold powder to do this very fine thread of liner. It almost looks like they’ve just cried and their eyes are a little bit wet.”

Model twins at Richard Quinn (Ian West/PA)

Model ‘twins’ on the catwalk has become a signature of Quinn’s.

This season, the chosen pair wore blue and white floral satin dresses embellished with white feathers and worn over matching tights, each carrying a large blue and white bouquet.

Jessica Stam at Richard Quinn (Ian West/PA)

They were followed by Canadian supermodel Jessica Stam closing the show in a flowing white cape with puff sleeves worn over a silver beaded jumpsuit.

After Quinn’s mother rose to greet her son, the audience joined her in giving the designer a standing ovation.