It’s been a few weeks since my first runway show at London Fashion Week, and, in fact, my first evening in London ever. I remember the evening quite vividly–the refreshing British air against my equally British Mackage trench coat, the salty and surprisingly scrumptious taste of creamy Welsh Rarebit, and of course, getting inspiration from London’s fabulously distinct fashion week attendees.

I also keep thinking about my first runway show, where I snagged a front row seat to see Jayne Pierson’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection at Victoria House, the home base of the British Fashion Council’s On/Off collections featuring emerging designers. It was an exquisite collection–as much architecture as fashion–and one of my favorite London Fashion Week memories.

Jayne Pierson is a Welsh designer who trained with the esteemed Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. She debuted her own collection for Spring/Summer 2010 the year prior, and presented her Spring/Summer 2011 collection in both London and Paris.

The wearable collection was designed for a woman unafraid to stand out in colorful leather and Tudor-style details. I was particularly drawn to her fresh dove gray and navy leather looks. Leather is an unusual warm-weather fabric, but based on the London runways, we’ll be seeing plenty of gray, white, and even pastel leather come spring.

I especially admired a dove gray leather sheath dress with gold military-style buttons. I’m already bored by this fall’s military trend–and happy I did not buy an overdone olive military-style jacket–but I really like the trend in spring’s unexpected colors and fabrics.

Pierson’s training with Alexander McQueen was seen in her Tudor-style sleeves and necklines. Though I fear the shapes would overwhelm me, I admire her craftsmanship and think a peaked-shoulder blazer or blouse would be a good investment if you haven’t gotten one for fall already.

Overall, I loved the collection and Pierson’s fresh twist on familiar trends. As I’ve become more particular about the trends I buy, I’m consistently drawn to items like those in this collection–luxurious fabrics like leather, strong shapes, deliberate details. I expect we’ll be seeing more of Pierson’s fashion architecture in the future.

Jayne Pierson Spring/Summer 2011 Finale