GREY projects’s SS16 collection reminds us why the label matters

With a creative team of three designers (Rukky Ladoja, Tola Ayanwale and Obi Obi,) upscale high street design label Grey Projects has had a better grasp than most of what it means to design for contemporary women with it’s flattering cuts and wearable silhouettes. By extricating itself from the race to be the most fashion forward label, it has allowed itself the rarely given opportunity to focus on accessibility.

The brand’s Spring 16 collection editorial sees the return of long time collaborators Ozzy Etomi of 4acesdate (Ozzy has helped design a capsule collection for the brand) and Tunde Mason who help channel the more demure aesthetic of the label’s new direction. The new collection sees the label leave behind the vibrant colours that defined it’s Spring 15 collection ‘Identity’ for muted earth tones. Colour blocking the complementary colours creates a recurring patchwork motif that permeates the entire collection.

Ladoja is front and centre this season, creating unique prints and illustrations for the collection. She also incorporates white shirts from the label’s collaboration with menswear designer Kenneth Ize into the look book. Splitting the collection into two equal halves are the laser cut pieces, that are distinctly more evening wear oriented and embellished with fringe and contrast piping.

This season, Grey Projects dabbles in accessories, creating an ankle strap sandal that is one of the accessories highlights of the spring 16 season.

On the runway, we were somewhat perturbed by the tangiental shift in design philosophy that was unfolding on the LFDW runway, but seeing the clothes shot for it’s potential wearer, we finally get it.