Charlie Le Mindu A/W11 - Settimana della moda di Londra

Once again, Charlie Le Mindu’s show lived up to its expectations, and was as spectacular as ever. The long queue of fans of the Haute Coiffeur outside, getting more important year after year, was a clear indication of Le Mindu’s growing popularity.

The first model sent on the catwalk was totally naked, and covered in dripping blood red paint. Wearing only high heeled boots and a headpiece featuring the world VIOLENCE written out at the top, she was quite an apparition. But as striking as it could be, it was nothing compared to the stunning bride who closed the show, immensely tall and made even taller by the massive white eagle decorated headpiece fixed on her head. The long train trailing behind her was stained with blood red paint, leaving quite a scary trace after her passage. 

Called ‘Berlin Syndrome’, the collection took us on a journey to the sexual underground of a wartime Berlin, exploring what the designer described as “the extremes of feminity and sodomy”. This translated in a great use of lace, PVC and fur, combined with masks, metals and military shapes.

Coiffure-wise, the models were sporting for the first time soft natural blonde hair, and hair was also used fringing on outfits.

The show ended on the terrible sound of pigs squealing at the slaughterhouse, while Charlie Le Mindu appeared for the finale, wearing a large white apron also covered in blood red paint.

There was, as always, quite an interesting and mixed audience , with the presence of lady Lloyd, but also Pandemonia, integrally covered in shiny latex, in the style of a cartoon character, or a creature coming straight out of a Roy Lichtenstein’s painting. A gang of porn stars from Babestation, which was sponsoring the aftershow, also drew a lot of attention, but not as much as the presence of heiress Daphne Guinness.

Charlie Le Mindu received the On/Off Visionary Award this season.

Laurie Guillem