Karina Bond transports us to a different world for SS24

Karina Bond, the queen of futuristic occasionwear and advocate of creating anti-trend fashion, transported us into a new world for her SS24 collection. Held in an underground venue in the heart of Trafalgar Square, guests were greeted with a very simple set: a solo bird cage like structure. But, as always the collection was far from simple.

Inspired by Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands” world, Bond created 24 looks to represent 24 distinct creatures, with different personalities, behaviours and styles. Bond’s decision to collaborate with cabaret performers from the J’Adore La Vie Cabaret was a perfect one. Using experts in movement and fluid performance added an extra layer of animation, fully transporting you to this weird and wonderful world. The show began with a laser cut black dress complete with a fiery rose ruffle headpiece. The model flexed and stretched her hands showing long black talons, a clear nod to Burton’s film, before throwing her hands in her air, revealing that the aforementioned headpiece was actually a long dramatic ruffle coat. Without any context or show notes this introduction made Bond’s SS24 intentions clear: beautiful timeless clothes filled with drama and fun.

As the show continued, complete with a whimsical yet eerie soundtrack the different characters were introduced. Bond made an interesting choice with putting look 11 in the middle of the show rather than the closer. The semi, sheer, sequin hand beaded full length gown complete with matching Scissorhand inspired talons had all the qualities of show closer. Paired with a matching sheer waist length veil, the model was completely encased in fish scale esque motif. Everything about it was perfect; the way the model walked on to the catwalk elegantly wrapping her talons on the birdcage, the crescendo of the music as she appeared, the sound of the sequins brushing against the floor as she walked and then the way she fluttered away in a fairy like fashion.

Just as the audience was ready to clap and congratulate Bond on a great show, the music changed, becoming menacing and slightly mischievous and we were introduced to my personal favourite characters. Currently publicly unnamed by Bond but what I’m calling the twins. Similar but different, like two sides of the same person – Jekyll and Hyde type characters. One softer and more delicate at face value in a baby pink hue completed with a sculpturally embellished headpiece and voluminous puffy shoulders. However, as your eyes gravitate down to experience the whole look the waist looks more like teeth, showing that this character is far from soft and one dimensional. The twin, the more obviously scary one, had the same soft puffy shoulders, but was in a bold red velvet instead of pink, with a rounded sharp rimmed hat and two rows of white teeth like embellishments. They came down the runway walking and twirling in sync, a true testament to how in tune the whole Karina Bond team is to produce such an amazing show.

While the characters were new, this collection still had key aspects of Bond’s unique design aesthetics. The much loved vertical organza ruffles for example, and the hues of blues, yellow and pinks that Bond revisits with every collection. As an emerging designer, wearability is important but so is communicating a clear point of view. With this collection Bond has done both. Even with all the dramatics the attention to detail was clear. She had a story to tell, there were no filler pieces and above all the collection was breathtakingly beautiful.

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