After ten seasons in New York, it’s Thea Bregazzi’s imminent arrival of her child that brought the Preen duo back to their British roots. “Welcome back Preen” was what Thorton and Bregazzi’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection said to their audience, an audience which greeted them with open arms.
Set against the backdrop of The National History Museum’s futuristic Darwin Centre and pumping electro music, the show got under way. First out was a series of navy ensembles – a mix of tailoring and floaty feminine looks including high-waisted wide-legged pants accompanied by oversized boyfriend blazer, transparent summer dresses together with details including Bretton stripes and silver foiled French lace (a particular favourite).
The show’s most interesting statement was a patchwork clash which worked. Animal skins including python prints made their way onto silk, organza and leather mixed with stripes, coloured paneling and classic white. Not a middle-aged leopard print was in sight; instead the collection used its palette of navy and Peony pinks to modernise its patchwork. Although the leather ensembles were too rigid, giving the models’ march an overly robotic feel, the other looks attested to Preen’s core aesthetic– to make an all-inclusive wearable collection. Preen, welcome home.