Sarah Murray the Head Buyer at Jane Davidson (10 years next year) and MD, really pushed the boat out for her customers this season. Previously a wee fashion show held in the shop on Thistle Street she had persuaded Victor and Carinna to allow the show to take place beneath the National Gallery of Scotland at the Mound – the venue has a natural runway – a great setting for a very personal approach. We were spoilt with Prosecco and Hors D’oevres before being seated and tempted by mini fish and chips and more booze – this was a big build up. 20 girls to every guy (there were 4 of us – boys I mean). And you know what?
It was fantastic (don’t get me wrong there were things I would have done differently) but this show deserves zero sour grapes and it started with:
Pringle of Scotland, they’ve moved leaps and bounds from their staid knitwear of the past and embraced the catwalk with a great Womenswear range.
Cashmere, leather detailing, cable knits, ponchos, great trousers and lots more in Biscuit, Chocolate and Sand.
Followed by Fabiana Filippi:
Again the pallets were soft Edinburgh – blonde, oatmeal and mocha – some great detailing; I particularly loved the Belted Shearling jacket, rollneck jumper and jeans combo.
Next up Missoni:
There were a number of statement pieces here both maxi dresses and mini dresses.
Diane Von Furstenberg followed next (this is where I struggled a bit) there were one or two Colottes – one of which was a jump suit colotte (and here it is):
I love the fabric just not the idea that colottes are making a comeback, that’s what I’m struggling with.
The AW 2011 Dries Van Noten collection is not a million miles away from some of the Missoni pieces – here’s the back of one of the pieces:
Erdem followed, a big Edinburgh favourite (and rightly so) although not the strongest collection to work with this year but Sarah did it really well.
Then we saw a capsule from Clements Ribeiro…
Some wonderful LBD’s followed in velvet and jersey by Talbot Runhof and David Meister.
Then the finale came – a show stopper by Jenny Packham (yes, the Jenny Packham, the one that Kate Middleton / Duchess of Cambridge loves and wears often).
You can of course shop online but this store was meant for shopping in – particularly because it’s tucked away off the main drag and you need to be in the “know” to know where it is. Jane Davidson Website
Or come shopping!
Sarah, I salute you – this show was in a different league – Congratulations to you and your team, great work.