Walls Bonner blurs the lines between race and gender, fusing luxury with African influences in its 2017-18 Fall/Winter collection.

Jan 29, 2017

On January 8th, the third day of London Men's Fashion Week, Wales Bonner held a show. Designer Grace Walls Bonner graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2014 and launched her brand in 2015. In 2016, she received the LVMH Young Fashion Designer Award, receiving approximately 36 million yen, the largest grant in the fashion industry. Wales Bonner herself is of multi-ethnic descent, having been born and raised in the suburbs of London, home to many African immigrants, and this has led her to create hybrid designs that blend European and African influences. This season, she presented a collection inspired by the lifestyles and street style of the local people she witnessed during a visit to her own roots in Senegal. Her first look featured a jersey tracksuit. She wore a turban made of the same material, creating an urban African vibe.

Many luxurious pieces were featured, including dresses made of high-quality linen and embellished with lace, and beautifully tailored pure white suits. However, the oversized sizing, wrinkled finish, and tucked-out undershirts created an effortless impression without being overly formal. The velvet suits, which are becoming her signature, were adorned with handcrafted Masai beads and crystals for a touch of sparkle.

The show featured men in dresses and women in suits, showcasing a unique color palette that blurred gender and race. As a multiracial person, she has always felt like an "outsider" who doesn't belong anywhere, and she says she is still exploring her own identity. However, her unique color and mindset are a major strength for the brand. She presented a highly polished collection in just her fifth season, and it will be exciting to see how the brand will grow as she establishes her own identity.
ELIE INOUE
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
  • Walls Bonner Fall/Winter 2017-18 Collection
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