No 21 A/W 2018

Mood board: K.’s Cigarette’s After Sex, the first song in the sound track to Alessandro Dell’Acqua’s A/W 2018 runway show, bought an air of sensual rebellion to the proceedings. This was a collection that combined masculine and feminine tropes — a beaded negligee paired with an oversized parka and a pair of creepers, a twinkling mini skirt with a huge shearling coat, long evening gloves and gold soled trainers, or a fleshy patent trouser with a plaid rodeo shirt. Punk details and evening wear, tailoring and teddy-boy, this was a collection that tied together strands of influence, culminating in looks that were modern, exciting and highly covetable.

Best in show: From Bottega Veneta to Proenza Schouler, animal print has been popping up the A/W 2018 catwalks. A cow skin trench coat with a sporty buckled waist and a leopard print collar ticked all the boxes. Elsewhere, among the plaids, gauzy tulles and sequins, a sleek tuxedo was reimagined as a jumpsuit, a contemporary reinterpretation of an androgynous evening wear classic.

Finishing touches: Customers have been getting their kicks over built up bulky trainers, and front rowers are favouring the Balenciaga ‘Triple S’ over anything else. In a savvy move, Dell’Acqua debuted a white sneaker with an ostentatious gold rubber sole which is sure to fly off the shelves. We were also enamoured by the brand’s bow detail and diamante kitten heels, which featured cushioning pads around the ankles. No 21’s rebellious women who go out dancing all night, before wrapping up in their boyfriend’s oversized coat are sure need that extra padding.