A-Lu-Ha

For the record, I love fashion that makes me want to get up close and personal. The myriad of details encompassed in a garment that are not visible from afar is what creates depth in a unique piece. Absent from fast fashion hotspots such as H&M, high quality craftsmanship incorporates close scrutiny of the little things that an impulse shopper may fail to catch, thus easily able to whip out a wallet at any chain store. Perhaps my favorite part of shopping at boutiques is the opportunity to truly examine a product. It is nearly impossible for me to enter a store of interest without passing my hands over each individual garment, inspecting front and back with a blissful eye. The Internet age sacrifices such a luxury, and online shopping asks us to try our luck with a product we have merely glanced at on screen. Emerging designers especially may find the necessity to embody their wares with a sense of definitiveness. Cautious consumers do not want to relinquish their salaries in exchange for a product they do not understand.

This is one of the many reasons why I love the spring/summer 2012 lookbook of Lu Flux's eponymous label, playfully entitled A-Lu-Ha. The vibrant garments showcased by models Georgie and Joey Carr boast exquisite design. Tiered hems of fringed florals, three-dimensional flowers, punchy prints, and easy silhouettes combine for an overall vibe that leans towards whimsically youthful. These are clothes that are inscribed with so much visible detail that they are instantly appealing to the naked eye, glaring at a luminous screen. These are designs that trade mystery for unadulterated fun, each laser-cut detail successful in attracting the spastic attention of a heavyweight Internet browser. Fun clothes like these solely call for enthusiasm about fashion and pure excitement about creativity. Many shall question the wearable factor of these garments, but the best way to style one of the pieces below is with a smile on your face.

Images from luflux.com

Lu Flux is a London-based brand that debuted at London Fashion Week in February 2009, its designer having worked as a design assistant to Bernhard Willhelm previously, a partnership whose influence is evident. (If you are not familiar with Willhelm's work, you can educate yourself here.) Yet Lu Flux's aesthetic is happily inspired by Willhelm's, proving her individual talent and knowledge, much of which most likely came from her fashion education at the Edinburgh College of Art. 

The materials used to compose Lu Flux wares are locally sourced from London, where Lu currently lives and works.

The line is stocked in various boutiques, but selected items are also available on the label's website.

xoxo