LFW AW26 - A Playful Reminder at Fam Irvoll ‘I Used To Be Seventeen’.

Coming from a fashion landscape known for its minimalist designs, Fam Irvoll stands out with her fun, bold and vibrant style. As we are often bombarded with the rhetoric of seriousness, Irvoll reminds us to embrace our inner child and whimsy. This season, Irvoll brought a playful collection to the runway that rejuvenated the audience in attendance.

The show opened with a stunning pastel-pink dress, accompanied by a funky song that seamlessly matched the energy of the collection. Combined with the music, this was one of the most cohesive shows I have been to, and the catwalk was incredibly fun. The delicate colour was perfectly balanced with the edgy, contrasting details and feathery texture. These attributes added much dimension and made it an incredibly interesting look. ‘I have never been a minimalist’, Irvoll explained as I caught up with her backstage. ‘I always dressed more like a maximalist but I think it started when I went to design school’ she details how she was struck by Gwen Stefani's music video “What You Waiting For?” and thought to herself ‘wow, you can do that!’. ‘It was just crazy - I loved it’.

Another garment that stood out to me was a floral, dynamic blue dress. Paired with a pink hat and floral print, the colours brought the piece to life. The white feathery details added depth to the dress and gave a quirky vibe. What struck me the most about this outfit was the bold patterns consistent from head to toe. Curious, I asked her to elaborate on this striking feature of her work. ‘I prefer prints being huge, like statement pieces’, this vision of her designs was clearly communicated through her collection, ‘I haven't really seen a lot of it, so I’ve always wanted it myself’. I asked what drew her to incorporate 3D textures into

her work, ‘It's just something I do’, she mentioned ‘‘It just makes stuff pop’. This thought resonated with me. Mainstream media pushes a certain standard and style. But Irvoll reminds us that fashion is about individuality and creativity. I thought back to all the outfits that filled the seats of the runway. No two were the same, everyone dressed true to themselves and needless to say, Irvoll’s designs were true to herself - it is something I admire about her style, she is unapologetically herself. ‘[The patterns were] from my childhood drawings’, she continued. 

The collection is aptly titled ‘I used to be seventeen’. Whilst watching the models strut down the runway, I was taken back to myself at seventeen, a time that was fleeting and precious for many. The designs featured in the collection exuded the spirit of teenage youth - bold, experimental and daring. This nostalgic element was evident in this collection. I saw this through designs such as the red puffer jacket paired with a purple fanny pack. As a whole, the outfit was covered in a fun floral print radiating youthful energy. The clash of colours and textures played on this theme and reminded the audience that fashion is a form of self-discovery.

‘My grandma feels like she's seventeen’, Irvoll began to explain as I asked her what the theme meant to her. ‘I also feel like, well hopefully a bit smarter’ she laughed as she was reminded of her teenage years, ‘but I still feel kind of seventeen-ish’ she detailed. ‘I've redrawn [patterns] from my old drawings’, she elaborated. ‘It's not actually about being seventeen, it's more like going back and [thinking] what I have liked my entire life. 

While most try to hide their teenage selves, cringing at what they deem awkward and uncomfortable, Irvoll brings them to the forefront, reminding us that they are an important facet of our identity. It is something to be embraced and learned from rather than brushed aside, and this is an idea that she brings to the forefront of her collection.

Another charming facet of Irvoll's designs is the accessories. Given that she is a multidimensional artist, she also designs these parts of her collection. Personally, I was drawn to the dramatic and eye-catching flower earrings that stood as a motif for this collection. As this was an interesting part that added to the looks I asked if there was a difference between designing accessories to clothing. ‘None,’ she began to explain, ‘I think it just belonged together. I am an illustrator as well [...] so it all comes from the same place’.

A reason why this collection stood out to me is for its craftsmanship - attention to detail was undeniable. Garments like this blue dress with a vibrant bedazzled flower across it clearly highlight the time and care put into this collection.(4) This flower was a vibrant shade of blue, and your eye was immediately drawn to it, demanding attention.

As the model walked down the runway, the light caught the beads, and everyone was captivated by her. Given that designing a collection is an extensive process, I wondered what the creative process was like. ‘I try to learn a craft every time I make a collection, she began to explain, ‘this time it was French beaded flowers, so that's probably the fun thing about it. Irvoll reminds us of the importance of learning and expanding our knowledge. It opens up new possibilities, and for fashion, a new mode of creative expression.

Fam Irvoll's collection is full of life, excitement and curiosity. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the models embody the designs as they walked down the runway. The collection was as vibrant and colourful as Irvoll herself, and it made us pause, reminding us to embrace our inner child and feed our curiosity. Though on the surface the collection may have seemed playful, it was rich with meaning as well as artistry. Given Irvoll's desire to expand on her knowledge, I am eager to see how her style will evolve in her next collection.

All images courtesy of B Global

---

Edited by Arielle Sam-Alao, Co-Fashion Editor