Victim by Mei Hui Liu A/W 07.08 London

[Scott]

When you come to a show for Mei Lui's London-based label Victim Fashion Street, you need to leave your existing fashion preconceptions at the door. This lady does not do traditional seasons, nor does she adhere to the usual production practices. Instead, Mei Lui's collections are like explorations of personal inspirations through fabric.
This collection was almost entirely black and made up exclusively of dresses all of which are handmade. The best way I can describe her method is to liken it to a curious child let loose with a dressing-up box and a sewing kit.
Mei Lui builds each dress from a tapestry of fabrics she sources from her travels. This season, the inspiration was horror flicks: Rosemary's Baby and Carrie. Her models had beautiful but slightly spooky antique doll make-up and stood on spotlights on the catwalk. Fob watches on chains echoed the feeling of the vintage lace that features throughout. The dresses are like Victorian baby doll frocks mixing lingerie with occasional Spanish and western references.
There is not a coat, jacket or even a cardigan in sight. Just individual handmade, one-off outfits. And that in-your-face cheek is something to celebrate - no wonder Mei Lui has chosen London as her base because we are open-minded enough to appreciate designers who do not conform to the norm but unrelentingly stay true to their own fashion vocations.
Words: Marian Buckley

*fuk.co.uk

 

[Scott]

i concur with everything the article says about her. her work has so much poetry....

 

[Scott]

 

[Scott]

 

[Scott]

 

[Whitelinen]

I don't like the clothes, but the face paint and the violet ribbon are very interesting. I think the last collection was better, but this is definetily still interesting. Thank you for posting!

 

[wheneveriwakeup]

It's all so surreal and precious.

 

[BaroqueRockstar]

i truly enjoy her collections. they're a breath of fresh air...

 

[Scott]

^it is! and i always love how she takes these Victorian pieces and laces and completely transforms them into a different sensibilty. it isn't a derivative form of Victoriana or following that kind of trend.....she's taking that kind of detail and making it look much more esoteric...and of course,much more original. And since the basis of her work is handmade and one-off,it's completely spontaneous and gives to that affect.

 

[mdankwah]

you almost want to keep it safe and treasure it.

 

[Scott]

^like relics,they are indeed

 

[JJohnson]

I like the back pieces more so than the front....the detailing is amazing!

 

[happyguy]

a little dull...but the make up is good.

 

[babyladybones]

The makeup is amazing.

 

[susie_bubble]

This is something of a fresh air amongst the designers at LFW..... only because nobody is doing what Mei is doing.... her balance between vintage and contemporary is really well executed. I actually think this season is more successful than last in terms of balancing of ideas....