New Interest at Margaret Howell

LONDON, United Kingdom — As the latest Londoner to opt for a dual showing, Margaret Howell has no trouble aligning her mens and womenswear collections — they form a natural call and repeat of elevated British classics that never bow to trends nor skimp on quiet, qualitative design features.

Autumn's outing held an appealing undone quality that she does well, though her muses don't skew youthful — they could be literary types like Harold and Vita Sackville West out in the garden at Sissinghurst perhaps: their Melton blazers, Scotch checks and homely tobacco-hued knits paired with tennis shoes or Trickers for a contemporary touch. Amongst the wash of neutral hued cotton and cashmere basics, Howell layered gardening aprons and bright citrus-y scarves, providing welcome fashion weight to her sober wardrobe. Next to hints of graphic fair isle and paisley, they were the kind of pieces that might peak new interest for this austere and somewhat sleepy line.