19 Sep FCDW Studio Resident Dreaming Eli at LFW

Deathly gorgeous is the only way to describe Dreaming Eli by Elisa’s latest collection ‘Wild Hearts Bleed’, which was showcased on Saturday evening, 16th September, at her on-schedule SS24 catwalk show.

The presentation was set in the beautiful stone halls of The Charterhouse, giving the collection an eerie, yet romantic backdrop. The music was ominous and the lighting was warm and low. A beautiful canvas to showcase the strikingly delicate designs.

The presentation opened with Ballet dancer Cat Lawther gliding over the stone-paved floor dress in a flowing cream and red-tipped dress. Cat gracefully enraptured the audience as she flew up and down the runway twisting and turning. Suddenly the white lights flicked on as Cat exited the runway through the thick stone door and then the first look appeared down the hall.

The first look perfectly summarised the collection, with a pale pink dress layered over a corset bodice, laced at the front with trailing icicles of mesh dotting the skirt. Dreaming Eli’s signature neckline of crossed, expanding material was accompanied with lace gloves and long trailing ties complimenting the mesh skirt.

The following looks were a river of nude, black, pink and cream lace. From dainty camisoles to structured billowing sleeves, Elisa’s SS24 collection powerfully portrayed her ethics of female empowerment, particularly giving strength to femininity and ‘the experience of a submissive as well as passionate womanhood.’

One particular stand-out look stunned the audience and tied the collection in with the first dress worn by the ballet dancer in an unexpected gory turn. The look was a bridal-esque ivory midi dress, tightly sculpting the lower body to an under-bust finish where neck-high lace takes over, lightly exposing the model’s breasts. The focus of the dress is then drawn to the oversized leg of mutton sleeves enhancing the silhouette. However, the most eye-catching element of the dress, hinted at in the show title, is a delicate trail of bejewelled blood running across the corset in a striking red, contrasting with smooth ivory silk.

The catwalk debuted long-time advocate and online celebrity, Lottie Tomlinson’s, first modelling gig and also featured influencer-model Cameron Valentina.

To close the show, the audience drew their gaze to the opposite end of the catwalk where a pole dancer clad in a pale pink camisole performed a slow, sultry routine on the static pole.

Finally, the closing walk was called and brand owner Elisa ran down the catwalk, accepting her applause wearing the same stilt-like platforms worn by the models throughout the show.

Dreaming Eli’s SS24 presentation portrayed female empowerment giving strength to the very items used to suppress women such as mesh and other delicate materials, as well as historical garments such as corsets. It was amazing to see the collection developed, sampled and fitted at the FC Designer Workspace and the FEL team are thrilled that Elisa’s brand truly go noticed in this intimate and atmospheric show.

By Leah Martin, images courtesy of Dreaming Eli shot by Emily Grace Morgan and Nik Hartley