MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

IF you're coming home after five years on the New York schedule - to an exhibition feting your decade of success in the industry, no less - you've got to make an impression… How to really get noticed? How about Prince performing from his seat in the front row? That just about did it for Matthew Williamson this morning. A tent in Eaton Square shook with the tension of a style World Cup as the fashion glitterati hustled for their closer-than-close front row seats; squeals of excitement and cheering from backstage gave us a clue that something mega was about to happen… and then a couple of Motown backing singers (microphone afro and lash-to-brow eye glitter - we're talking the real deal…), took to the stage and we didn't know whether to sit and clap or stand up and dance.

All of a sudden identical twin dancers, in purple silk shifts with silver sashes, appeared to perform pop dressage down the catwalk with Prince himself singing his latest song from his seat in the front row. Until then, knowing as we did that he'd been in town for the Couture Gala last night (wearing white Versace), we assumed he'd just come to support Williamson (and hide his Gala hangover behind those glossy black shades and matching trilby) - but now we hear the whole thing will serve as Prince's new video, no less. From front row to MTV… It was a serious fashion moment, dahlink - and Williamson gave himself a job to live up to the moment with his new collection after such an eye-popping opener.

Loving his bright embroidered dresses and sassy short shorts as we always have, this latest offering was better than ever and, frankly, even Prince couldn't upstage it as we began furiously daydreaming of the high life dressed in these dramatically cutaway beaded swimsuits, skinny neon Ts and sassy trouser suits in stripes of green, grey and cream. A workman dismantling Prince's band's synthesiser was unabashed as the models stepped carefully around him (and the photographers all jeered), but that only served to let us take even more notice of the amazing shoes - let's hope it's still Camilla Skovgaard in charge of Williamson's footwear because these black and white chequered lace-up heels, edged in pink, turquoise, green, coral and yellow, were completely gorgeous (and mesmerising when the models strode out together at the end).

Aztec prints and intricate, glittering, multi-coloured seed pearl embroidery - on cropped jackets with cutaways behind each shoulder, on the necks of bright vests, or in a band above the bottom on backless column dresses - were the most polished we've seen yet from Williamson, while petrol studded T-shirts and waistcoats meant his pretty ladies can be tough in the limelight, too. It's not all about all-out glamour, either - rough cotton turned-up shorts and safari shirts were the perfect tailored backdrop to let all that colour do the talking, while sweet printed wraparound summer dresses, some in lightest chiffon with the print taken from a butterfly wing, made downtime as good looking as can be. Black muslin bled as if on pH paper from white to coral for sexy minis, while Grecian goddesses in cream muslin with gold beading added old world splendour. "You don't have to be beautiful to turn me on," sang Prince (from the speakers this time), as the show came to an end. Yeah, but it helps. No matter if he's heading back to New York next season, with this show Williamson proved that it's London he loves - and London is seriously in love with him. (September 19 2007, AM)

Dolly Jones

For what song is this supposed to be a video?

Was Chelsea Rodgers actually there?

The International Herald Tribune seems to think so.

"...take to the mike to sing "Chelsea Roberts." (That was not in honor of London's Chelsea district but to the singer's muse, who paraded in a silver gown.)"
[Edited 9/19/07 14:36pm]
[Edited 9/19/07 14:36pm]

meejaboy said:

I think that's her sitting next to him on the front row.

serpan99 said:

god i wish he would make music like he looks there in those pictures.
it looks kinda indie rock looking

Was Chelsea Rodgers actually there?

The International Herald Tribune seems to think so.

"...take to the mike to sing "Chelsea Roberts." (That was not in honor of London's Chelsea district but to the singer's muse, who paraded in a silver gown.)"
[Edited 9/19/07 14:36pm]
[Edited 9/19/07 14:36pm]

horatio said:

you must be seriously unhinged if for one you think prince looks like some sorta indie rocker, and two if you want prince to make some indie rock songs, deary deary deary deary deary me

georgeguitar said:

obviously you have never listened to his early work

and have never heard of him being referred to as bohemian or having a bohemian sound (which is what has attracted so many fans)

and please, Prince has been biting off and on the indie music scene recently in his image specifically the way he dresses

serpan99 said:

ROTFLMMFAO!!!

I swear to God I'm not just trying to be funny but these pictures look like Willy Wonka teamed up with Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat In The Hat to make a music video!!

I can't look at them without bursting out in uncontrollable laughter!!

horatio said:

Ive listen to plenty of princes stuff, and i am a big fan of his early stuff, and im not with you when you say hes dressing like what you would regard indie, maby if he starts sporting converse skinny jeans and a waist coat and shirt ill agree, and he certainly should not make any indie rock

georgeguitar said:

if Prince isnt or wasn't independent music, how do explain Parade?

SexyBeautifulOne said:

I swear I was just about to say the samething! He does kinda look like "Willy Wonka" and now that you've just stated it the twins does look like Thing 1 and Thing 2! At least that hat looks better than that other hat I just posted!

God, he looks wonderful!

wlcm2thdwn said:

Whats up with he Elvis cape and damn those twinz look hot