Where the wild things are - Mulberry a/w 2012

Those invited to this season's Mulberry show received giant golden keys in the post. They didn't understand why, but they were intrigued.

When the guests arrived at today's show, little by little, things began to make even less sense. The walls were lined with balloons in the shape of Mulberry clasps. The benches were covered in sheepskin, there were dogs, bicycles and two abominable snowmen guarded the stage. "Where the Wild Things Are" said creative director Emma Hill -  ah, no sense needed then.

Mulberry express pride in their obligation to Britain, focusing on classic outerwear and home-grown textures. Even when delving into another world; an imaginary world, it retains that quintessential English poise that makes every piece so covetable. Just ask Michelle Williams, the cast of Downtown Abbey, Azealia Banks and Lana Del Rey; the season's most star studded front row will attest this.

Speaking of Lana Del Rey, the singer has followed in the footsteps of Alexa Chung into the fashion icon hall of fame, sporting her very own Mulberry Del Rey Bag. "It's always nice to work with a brand with integrity and it's a real honour" said Lana. No wonder she was smiling like a Cheshire cat. 

Despite that sense of Great British familiarity within the collection, the overload of layers. magnetic colours and spellbinding prints made it enchanting and easy to get lost in. Models were buried in asphyxiating furs, sheepskin coats and blanketed with Aztec print cloaks.

Thankfully, a streamlined silhouette and bright hues, especially a citrus orange, made the layering less dense. Even weighty leathers seemed lighter. Delicate knee length dresses, accented with lace and punctuated with Erdem-esque prints were a personal highlight, adding summer-night warmth to the collection.

Mulberry might be one of our most popular and profitable fashion brands but I still don't think Emma Hill gets enough credit for her level of ingenuity. This collection is one of the season's most coherent. Further to this, Hill has deciphered a complex designer conundrum; integrating creativity and concept into an elegant collection, without becoming novelty. Maybe that's the key to her success.