Written by Iso Neville, contributing fashion writer & second-hand stylist
Photo Ki Price
Pam Hogg is iconic. For almost four decades, the British designer has infused London Fashion Week catwalks and the wardrobes of rock royalty with a flair of flamboyant punk. For SS23, ‘Apocalypse’ showed no signs of that changing.
Pam Hogg pictured right, Photo Ben Mcquaide
Soundtracked by the late Sinead O’Connor, the show was a celebration of anarchy - and peace - in her honour. After an hour-long wait, attendees’ anticipation was satiated by an opening reminiscent of erotic medical fantasies, with latex-clad nurses warming up the runway for Hogg’s bolder designs to appear.
Photos Ben Mcquaide
Signature materials such as PVC and leathers, repurposed by Hogg for more than two decades, featured heavily amongst softer textures. Taking inspiration from the religious ideas of Judgement Day, the collection grew towards a climax of devilish beauty, and ended with a touch of the heavenly. Flowing gowns floated down the Fashion Scout runway, cut to reveal glimpses of the bodies underneath. These softer showstoppers were a stark contrast to the skin-tight ensembles that opened the show, but maintained Hogg’s classic provocativeness.
Pam Hogg pictured right, Photo Ben Mcquaide
From PVC to fringing, via crosses and cut-out draping, Pam Hogg’s newest collection depicted a fearlessness across a broad spectrum of textures and shapes. From subversive religious iconography to delicate yet powerful gowns, ‘Apocalypse’ gave a stark reminder of the breadth of emotion behind the catwalk, leaving an ode to Sinead O’Connor who so passionately believed that anarchy and peace can co-exist.
pamhogg.com