Vauxhall Fashion Scout Exhibition – Edward Finney

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is a veritable hotbed of new fashion talent, with the exhibition a great showcase for new design. I had a good look around yesterday and totally fell in love with the unique, unusual designs of Edward Finney. My first words on seeing his collection were ‘This is a man influenced by Alexander McQueen‘,  and I was fascinated to learn  that Edward Finney had worked with McQueen, and also with another fashion genius, John Galliano , with whom he worked as assistant designer for four years. After viewing his offbeat designs, I don’t think it will be that long before we mention Edward Finney in the same breath of McQueen and Galliano.

Using a host of ‘heritage’ plaids and checks, Finney has created a wonderful collection rich in character and design.  Using the American socialite turned Happy Valley Vixen Alice De Janze as inspiration, this is a collection that, like Alice, breaks all conventions and has a seriously wild side. From sophisticated shift dresses that turn out to be seriously cute playsuits, to the use of shoelaces for adornment, this is a collection that requires you to look and look again.

Finney’s collection re-creates the hedonism of the 1920s ex-pat community with ‘a modern blend a fusion of tribal strength and classical style.’ So you have classic dress styles with full skirts and Prince of Wales check bands that are subverted with ultra sexy and modern cutaway details. Or the traditional plaid fabric turned into a 1980s style puffball mini dress.

My absolute favourite piece is the totally fabulous dress that bleeds ink, a stunning, innovative piece which leaks ink slowly spattering  the snow-white skirts with black ink as the model walks and moves. This is a dress filled with drama that is totally breathtaking.

I love this collection, and think there are enough quirky, edgy beauties on the red carpet who could really do it justice. Jaime Winstone would look amazing in the red tartan, full length dress below, whilst I would love to see Emma Watson in the puffball style strapless dress, this would look fantastic against her elfin beauty.

A designer whose works combines a sense of the dramatic with the element of fun, Edward Finney is truly a name to remember.

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