London Fashion Week is underway, and Twenty8Twelve’s new collection was previewed over the past weekend. Unfortunately neither Sienna nor Savannah were in attendance … I was hoping they would be, for the final time! I thought I’d post a couple of articles about the new collections launch though, as there are obviously mentions of the brand’s changes.

Check out T8T London’s newly redesigned website, too.

Twenty8Twelve Fall 2012: Keeping Calm and Carrying On, Miller-less

Twenty8Twelve’s head designer, Elsa Elphick, is probably absolutely sick of people asking her about Savannah and Sienna Miller leaving the brand. They held a presentation over the weekend to showcase the new collection and a fashion film called “Faceless Featured Future.” Faceless future, indeed–at least a famous faceless future. So let’s get that part out of the way first.

I asked Elphick what has changed since the Miller sisters left, and she told me, “For us it hasn’t massively changed.” Hmm. So how much involvement did they actually have? Elphick assured me that she worked very closely with Savannah, but that now she would be making design decisions rather than have them made for her. When I asked if the Millers leaving would hurt the image of the brand, a member of Twenty8Twelve’s team jumped in.

“I think we’ve been quite lucky because the brand’s been around long enough to establish what its personality is, and also to establish an appetite from consumers and buyers, and that’s probably the most important thing,” he said. “I think we can maintain that equilibrium as we move through this path.” He went on to say, “We’re excited because it frees us up to do more things from a business perspective, be it opening more stores, ad campaigns, digital marketing strategies. There are things we are doing now that will be different, and more bold in their statements.”

The question that no one was directly answering was why the Miller sisters left. We sensed that there’s a story there but no one’s talking yet. So let’s talk about the story we know, which is that Twenty8Twelve wants to expand. There are currently 3 freestanding stores, and they want to open one in Paris, then expand into North America.

Based on the collection and how it was designed, it’s obvious expansion is on the brain–there’s definitely enough to fill up a shop with this current collection. There were lots of different wardrobe stories: 60s London references, Capote’s Black and White Ball, statement coats, a work-friendly line. Twenty8Twelve is also trying to grow its “Made in England” initiative, too, in which a certain percentage of the line is produced in the UK using traditional English tailoring techniques.

Will Twenty8Twelve make it without the Miller sisters? They’re just fine, thank you very much.

- fashionista.com (including pictures of the A/W 2012 clothes)

Twenty8Twelve minus the Miller sisters at London Fashion Week AW12

Instead of the usual high profile on schedule show, where Savanna and Sienna Miller normally bring in a pap worthy front row, today the newly renamed Twenty8Twelve London displayed their Autumn Winter 2012 collection at a presentation at London Fashion Week’s Somerset House Embankment Gallery. Ever since we found out the Miller sisters have decided to step down as co-creative directors of the global brand back in January, we expected to see some changes and it appears this is the first of them.

After an eight year partnership with the well known blonde siblings, Twenty8Twelve is continuing under the same design team as ever which was clear to see. Similarly to their Spring Summer 2011 collection, Twenty8Twelve’s offering on display today was full of easy to wear casual separates with a cool laid back aesthetic. From loose sheer tops with ultra simplistic lines to even looser cropped trousers, a slick grey tweed two piece suit, loose masculine outerwear tailoring and sporty feel mini dresses with flared skater skirts – the collection on offer was one of variety, depth and ultra wear-ability.

Favorite items had to be the sheer black blouse with paneled detail, pleated black leather mini skirt, luxe masculine feel outerwear and a seriously over-sized snood. Overall, although it may feel as though Twenty8Twelve have lost their secret ingredient(s), it was clear to see the collection still has the London grit on which it has based it’s premise, but this season with a clear fresh and contemporary take. Check out the clothes in action in the video below.

- catwalkqueen.tv (watch a video with some of the collection being displayed at the site)