Welcome back to The Code of Style, and this feature about How to make a Style Statement this Fall, featuring some of my favorite picks from designers, April & Alex, Ivan Young and Anamika Khanna.
From fierce blazers and overcoats to kaftans and feathered trenches, fall outerwear is all about making a statement.
Here are our top picks by designers April & Alex, UK-based, black-owned brand; Ivan Young, Malaysian-based, specializing in mulberry silk ostrich feathers; and Anamika Khanna, Indian designer, known for blending traditional styles with modern design.
April & Alex
April & Alex presents the ‘ferox’ collection, inspired by the woman breaking through the glass ceiling in 2021. ‘Ferox’ is a Latin word meaning FIERCE. The collection features structural, dramatic yet wearable pieces with exaggerated sleeves, hoods and shoulder pads.
April & Alex is a London-based contemporary womenswear brand owned by British / Nigerian Award-Winning Journalist and Creative Director, Didi Akinyelure.
Growing up, Didi was inspired by her grandmother who owned a tailoring business and by her mother who launched a womenswear brand in the 90s. April & Alex creates bold, edgy and daringly innovative womenswear for the empowered woman.
Here are a few of my favorite pieces:
Shop the collection online
“In spite of the challenges we have faced, women are doing remarkable things in 2021 and this has inspired our AW21 collection. 2020 was a tough year for all due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but 2021 is a year of Hope, thanks to the roll out of vaccines. Thus, as we step into the new season, we urge women to stay Fierce, Bold, Edgy, Powerful, Confident. To take on the new world, and confidently step into the year as truly empowered women. If anything, the pandemic and 2020 taught us to reach for our goals fearlessly and to live our lives purposefully and passionately.’
Didi Akinyelure, Creative Director, April & Alex
APRIL & ALEX Website : Aprilandalex.co.uk Instagram : @aprilalexshop
Ivan Young
Ivan Young graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Fashion degree from the South China Agricultural University. He is known for his unprecedented designs, attention to details, and his eye in identifying only the most luxurious materials to craft his creations.
His creations reflect sophistication and high attention and precision in every detail, and the fashion line is exclusively designed using only premium materials that are specially handpicked by the designer himself.
The fundamental material in the line is silk and only 100% premium silk is used; matched with luxurious embellishments for a perfect pairing or combination. Be assured that every stitch is of perfection and of exquisite intricacy.
Here are a few of my favorite picks from his collection.
IVAN YOUNG website: ivanyoung.com Instagram : @ivanyoungofficial
Anamika Khanna
Anamika Khanna’s collection presents India’s rich craft in a modern way. Her philosophy is about innovation with regards to the Indian style, while also keeping it extremely relevant to the modern world. For instance, the dhoti pant, commonly accredited to the brand, is now accepted as a modern high waist trouser worn with a dupatta or the Indian skirt.
Seen as highbrow and sartorial in equal measure, Anamika has been reigning the crown of many firsts. From being the first Indian woman to showcase her collection in the Paris Fashion Week to being part of the Business of Fashion 500 list, Anamika is considered a role model to women in India.
Anamika Khanna is all about finding your own personal style and having the dream and vision to express them to the world around you, and here are a few of my picks.
ANAMIKA KHANNA Website: anamikahanna.in, Instagram : @anamikakhanna.in
I hope you enjoyed this article about How to Make a Style Statement this Fall , and have a look here for more of our style features.
I’m Julia, the Senior Managing Editor and I can’t wait to share some more articles with you again soon! In the meantime you can find more luxury style, lifestyle and travel inspiration on “The Velvet Runway” .
Thank you for reading
Website: The Velvet Runway
