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Nicole Farhi: Subtly Graphic

The classiest designer in London has to be Nicole Farhi, the Persian born, French accented blonde whose Anglo-romantic style makes for a unique take on fashion.

Farhi’s Spring/Summer 2007 collection was presented in London’s Royal Opera House on Thursday, September 21st, staged in a wonderfully airy display space which mirrored the purist mood of the collection.

Farhi kept things simple, yet never dull. Her opening looks – jacquard asymmetric dresses, swingy cotton tweed jackets and A-line tweed silk coats - managed to be posh, but never stiff.

She’s an artful cutter – T-shirts came with clever boat necks, parkas appeared apple shaped – and unafraid of taking risks. Farhi’s draw neck mackintosh was the best trench we’ve seen in London so far.

But the collection’s best quality was subtlety, expressed in a delightfully simple and refined navy pleated dress with an understated mesh bra which was romantic yet so real.

“I wanted romantic but with a graphic touch,” Farhi told FWD backstage, echoing her invite which came in a smooth plaid.

Smartly styled by Finnish “It” Gal Tiina Laakkonen, and backed up with a silky soundtrack by French DJ Michel Gaubert, it made for a memorable morning moment in London Fashion Week.

* Nicole Romano Navigates the Alps Beautifully * Nicole Farhi Paints a Pretty Picture		* Vera Wang Resort: Surreal Sophistication * Jason Wu Resort: French New Wave Refresher