Loving Mr Raeburn

Christopher Raeburn’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection aims to ‘Dazzle’. The aptly named collection is made up of four outerwear garments that combine practicality and style effortlessly. Each jacket comes in its own reusable storage back that echoes back to the days of rainy school trips with the obligatory anorak. But these certainly aren’t the type of pack-a-macs that I remember from my childhood; these are grown up models that still have that childish hint of fun with their brightly coloured designs.

Citing inspiration from camouflage, adaptability and the great outdoors, his collection definitely does these features justice. The Parachute Hoodie and the Tyvek Parka feature bold yellow and orange patterns, whilst the Parallel Parka takes on a more sophisticated, simplistic but striking look. The Parachute Parka is a lightweight garment with its blue and white design almost inviting the rain to do its best to allow for the coat to be worn. Saying that, Raeburn’s designs are so stylish that you needn’t just where them in the rain; these are pieces that can be worn as an extra layer no matter what the weather throws at you.

Catherine May