Katie Ann McGuigan makes her on-schedule London Fashion Week debut for Autumn/Winter 2019 inspired by the Bosozoku or “Speed Tribe” biker subculture of Japan. The Bosozoku were founded in the 50’s before rising to prominence in the 80’s and 90’s and were associated with customised motorcycles, jumpsuits adorned with slogans, Japanese hachimaki headbands and surgical masks. The trademark combination of military and utility gear combined with heavily modified bikes contributed to their unique place in Japanese contemporary culture. Bosozoku were inclusive of women and this idea of a powerful all girl underground gang that leads the mood this season.
Informed by vintage imagery of the Bosozukus, Katie Ann McGuigan draws inspiration from the gang’s trademark DIY customized motorcycles and slogan adorned uniforms. This translates into a collection heavy on print and texture. In a palette of lilac, mint, ochre, navy and jade; Katie Ann McGuigan fuses heavy leathers and light, breezy organzas into a flow of box and inverted pleats. Alongside sporty nylons and chunky wools, thermochromic fabric is a new addition. Classic motorcycle styles are interwoven throughout with the plaid 90’s reference, 80’s leather skirts and dresses and chunky knits. Katie Ann McGuigan staples; layered knits, floaty tulle dresses, panelled skirts and tie-dyed button down shirts are continued; longline puffa gilets and a zip up boiler suit. Prints throughout are roses, ginghams, tyre marks and slogans; ‘Road Runner’, ‘Only Night Angels’, ‘Highway Danger’. Continuing from last season’s signature logo boot, Katie introduces chunky knee high boots with rose and slogan prints, also sling back heavy duty mules are introduced in a matching colour palette.
Katie Ann McGuigan is a womenswear brand from London, offering high-end ready-to-wear working on the frontier of print design alongside modern and graphic silhouettes. Katie Ann McGuigan was born and grew up in Ireland. She moved to London, where she graduated from the University of Westminster BA Fashion Design Womenswear course in spring 2016. She was since awarded the Fashion Scout Merit Award after her first print heavy collection debut, and continued on to win the Mittelmoda Absolute Prize in 2017. McGuigan has gained experience by working for McQ in London and Marc Jacobs in New York City. Once again translating the codes of conventionally ‘masculine’ sports into a collection that’s innately feminine, Katie Ann McGuigan AW19 is ready for a fierce and vibrant girl gang – just like the women of Bosozuku.