SPOTLIGHT ON: Fashion East’s James Long

The focus this week is on a designer whose womenswear offerings bring us the most eye-catching facet of spring/summer 2012 fashion in high doses: luxe embellishment. Northampton-born, London-based fashion designer James Long is otherwise what they like to call a ‘hot ticket’ for London Fashion Week.

Graduating in 2007 from the prestigious Royal College of Art with an MA in Menswear and Accessories, Long has fast established his name on the London style circuit for both men and women’s fashion.

Although gaining his fashion stripes in menswear after launching his first menswear and accessories collection at London Fashion Week in 2007; Long transferred his incredible skill set to womenswear with his first collection for AW11 presented through Fashion East.

Long’s collections combine luxurious outerwear, leathers and knitwear with exquisite bursts of bold embellishments. His SS12 womenswear collection, the second through Fashion East, was as highly satisfying as his previous season debut.

Stunning snakeskin, lamé knits, black chiffon with a striking contrast played out in the form of  heavily jewelled sequin and bead collar, cuff and shoulder detailing, all look like the perfect concoction to knock up a sure-fire friendship with a discerning fashion front row, and, to secure the much-deserved title of ‘one to watch’.

Long’s womenswear provides instant satisfaction to those seeking statement cool pieces: standout, decorative and trans-seasonal, thanks to bursts of universally worshipped black chiffon and perennially cool snakeskin. For this alone he’s definitely sitting tight on our new-generation-head-turner radar.

View the complete womenswear SS12 collection here.

All SS12 items shown available at LN-CC.