Jason Wu, Spring/Summer 2011 was a very up-town experience. He may be a young designer, but his aesthetic borrows heavily from past eras, and where his peers are busily churning out more unisex, downtown cool fare, Wu is, somewhat bravely, focused on all-out-pretty womenswear fit for real-life dolls. Floor-sweeping chiffon gowns, button-down blouses, gathered tulip skirts and matchy-matchy tailored ensembles in technicolour violet, fuchsia, royal blue, ivory and lime took to the runway, with models wearing Jackie O-like oversized shades and noticeably clutching various styles of handbags. Focus was on footwear and bags as for the first time this season, Wu introduced accessories to his signature line - three styles of handbags and four styles of shoe, which all, of course, matched perfectly with the clothing. Following from last season, it was really the knitwear that stood out, perhaps because it was the most relaxed and understated and what one can imagine wanting to wear on a cool spring evening - his oversized wool blazers took the, at times, costume-like looks comfortably down a notch. Overall Wu's collection was super-pretty, yes, and old-fashioned, certainly, but perhaps amid the ubiquitous slouchy trousers, boyfriend jeans and leisurewear as daywear, a bit of uptown preppiness isn't such a bad thing after-all.

Report by Indigo Clarke on 11 September 2010.