This collection marks the fifth year of Harris Reed showing during London Fashion Week, a milestone that left Reed contemplative, looking back at how the collections have developed over the seasons, and focusing on the design language that makes them unique to the brand. A desire to refine these signatures led Reed to strip away colour from the collection, working in the limited palette of white, ivory, shades of fawn and metallics, finding an unexpected eloquence in removing the clamour of colour.

Silhouettes that extend and exaggerate the form are the heartbeat of the collection; corsets grow from the waist, extending out to frame the shoulders, or flare into wing like tips, whilst amplified hips dramatise the body’s natural form. There is a play on what is covered and what is exposed; a crinoline cage dress discloses the body beneath whilst creating a structure around it, a tailored suit features a cut out back, curved high necklines expose the shoulders, and a cropped corset sits low, exposing the chest. For every structured garment, such as a nipped waist satin jacket with impossibly exaggerated shoulders, there is a sheer or fluid counterpoint, with the transparencies of devoré, chiffon, lace and gazar punctuating the collection.

The quiet colour palette makes space for a rich textures in fabric and intricate embroidery. An ivory duchess satin dress with structured drape collar features a custom devoré pattern, gold duchess satin is hand painted with a textured white rose motif, hand painted silks feature abstract florals, and textured florals feature across piqué and scuba fabrics. Chiffons and silks feature abstract animal, ocelot and lace naturescape prints developed in collaboration with Fromental, and animal pattern devorés and hand embroideries enrich the season's ghostly palette.

As a finale the Harris Reed brides offer a fluid, decadent approach to bridal wear. A sheer suit with scooped front and back is fabricated in a feathered lace which gently animates in movement, and a crinoline cage skirt is lavishly draped in gold duchess satin, paired with a long corset in animal print beaded embroidery, worn with a Stephen Jones archive headpiece and veil.

With 'Loud Whispers' Reed’s designs still take up space and demand attention, but there is a new quieter, temporal note to the fantasy, found in the intricate details and textures that weave through the collection.

ENDS.