That’s ‘70s for Karen Walker in New York

For spring 2015 it was photographer Valerie Finnis. For autumn 2014 is was New Zealand’s suffragettes. This time around, for her autumn 2015 collection presented at New York Fashion Week, Karen Walker focused on the “remarkably together and tough” Joanna Lumley, star of the British Seventies sci-fi detective time-traveller series, Sapphire and Steel.

As a girl, Walker would watch in awe as Sapphire guarded the order and integrity of the time, all the while being “a beacon of chic”.

“Functional and strong does not exclude glam,” Walker explained.

The New Zealand-based designer presented patent sheepskin coating in colours ranging from cognac to sapphire blue; chunky knitwear; utilitarian denim; and boots built for tough journeys with their generous rubber tread.

In addition to Walker’s women’s-wear collections there is also Karen Walker Jewellery, Karen Walker Eyewear, Karen Walker Home Ware, Karen Walker Paints and a series of collaborations including, Benah for Karen Walker handbags, Beau Coops for Karen Walker footwear and KW2 By Karen Walker, a children’s-wear collection with Uniqlo.

Original article by Olivia Fleming, Daily Mail, February 17, 2015.