A spiritual experience at a spiritual place. Instead of just sitting, watching and awkwardly clapping, Nicholas Daley had us smiling, dancing and “wooh”-ing at his SS20 show. From an intimate gig at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club last season, we went into St Mary at Hill Church for a rhapsody of jazz sounds – but that was all just the backdrop for an impeccable collection overflowing with shopping-friendly clothes and accessories.
Church organs opened the show, soon contradicted with the jazz sound of a saxophonist jammin’ and walking along the catwalk into the centre of the church where a stage with instruments was set up. It’s always about music at Nicholas Daley, and today was no different. Inspired by afrofuturism and the seminal African American jazz band Sun Ra Arkestra, Daley presented pieces that moved – both physically and emotionally. Custom Adidas Originals kicks and cross-body bags were embellished with shells, completing the full looks along with his much-loved hats. The sound grew, models and musicians interchanged in exits, and at the end we had a full band on the stage and a crew of models getting down – a rhapsody of jazz sound was overflowed the room.
The catwalk show finished but the real show just started – everyone was on their feet and dancing around, with Sons of Kemet making us move like we didn’t necessarily expect to at a fashion show. Riz Ahmed was there too, jammin’ next to us. Sweaty, happy and with a shopping list of stellar looks at the ready – it was almost impossible to leave the venue. Wow.
Photographs by Piczo
