Fashion feature: Karen Walker Fall 2013

image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeThere is always a moment of pure trepidation when one of the fashion industry's darlings cites sources of inspiration that run close to your own counter-culture heart. A feeling of "oh no..." comes over you as you wonder how someone who's feet are firmly planted in the mainstream market is going to interpret one of 'your' icons. In other words, it's hard not to revert to your own surly teenage attitude and exclaim "What a poser!" when fashion attempts to do punk rock.

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

image:S.Whittle for Style WyldeBut even the surliest of OG punk rock hearts could  be won over by Karen Walker's The Damned/Siouxsie Sioux inspired Fall 2013 collection. Drawing on motifs familiar to all of us who grew up worshipping Banshees and singing along to Grimly Fiendish Walker created a collection that was utterly fresh and inspired without ever looking  literal, or just plain too goth.

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

Boxy sweaters, lean pants and short flared skirts in a variety of neon hues mixed it up with, bold black and white zigzags, houndstooth, and a recurring 'dripping rose' print that had just the right amount of art school girl attitude.

image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

Classic Karen Walker accessories, such as wild sunnies and too-die-for ankle booties that totally redefined the shoe-silhouette of the season, were also abundant throughout the collection, making it clear that although the designer had taken a time-out from her expected 'twee prints' for which she is most commonly known, and gone for an edgy punk-rock inspired direction, she is still very much herself. 

 image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

For more images from the Karen Walker Fall 2013 collection, check out the Style Wylde Galleries.