Burberry Prorsum Womenswear A/W 2013

Christopher Bailey's latest collection for Burberry Prorsum was titled "Trench Kisses: A collection of classics and Christine Keeler". You're probably wondering who is Christine Keeler, like I did. 

Christine Keeler was an infamous showgirl and a model who had an affair with the British Minister of War, John Profumo, in the early 1960s. While she was seeing Profumo, she was also sleeping with a drug dealer and a russian spy. Sometimes, she would see Profumo and the russian spy on the same day. It's a pretty interesting long story, something very surreal and dramatic but it's a good read if you have the time. Eventually, the public came to know about the affair and caused a huge uproar in the government because of a threat to national security. Profumo resigned in 1963 and for that reason, the event was called "Profumo affair".

Tapping into that bit of history, Bailey chose to channel Keeler's sexy side into the collection through the use of sheer latex with a rubbery appearance. They were used in the classic trench coats, pencil skirts and even in tops. 

Mixed with the latex were zebra, giraffe and leopard prints representative of the wild side of Keeler. Trench coats were belted at the waist, a look often seen during Keeler's days. Having seen so many collections using animal prints for several seasons now, I liked the introduction of latex, a modern alternative for chiffon which is equally sheer and suggestive. 

The heart print which we saw in the Burberry Prorsum Menswear A/W 2013 collection was also present in this womenswear collection. I felt that it brought a cuteness to the looks, preventing it from being too serious. Actually, both the menswear and womenswear collections go so well together that all couples could dress up in them without looking silly. That's pretty rare for brands which design for both genders!

Images from Style.com, WWD and Burberry

In all, I loved the Burberry collection. The looks may be getting a bit predictable from Bailey but they are all wearable and appropriate for the seasons. In particular, the use of berry/wine colour was apt.  If you haven't seen the collection yet, you can watch it here! I loved the music and the ending ;)