Christopher Kane’s talent at pushing his audience to the edge of their comfort zone has cemented his reputation as a designer who’s impossible to second-guess. His spring/summer 12 collection for Versus – Versace’s younger sister line – saw the Scottish designer rework the school gym kit. The picturesque courtyard of Gianni Versace’s former Via Gesù home was transformed into a full-size basketball court. Score lines were marked out in pink, white and mint green offering a hint at the milkshake colour scheme to come. But as with everything Christopher, this was sportswear with a twist. Netball skirts came shredded to the knee, so they flapped provocatively around the thigh as if a disgruntled student had customised them with a scalpel. Satin pink and mint green cheerleader dresses were slashed to the waist and accentuated with thick black piping. Ice-cream pastels defaced tennis brights and sheer black trousers were worn with cut-out shirts and jackets to create a collection that would look just as good off court as on.
Text: Holly Shackleton
Photography: Mitchell Sams
