Any piece by Michael van der Ham is so beautiful, so unique in its construction and so desirable in an age of cookie-cutter, mass-produced schmutter, that it is truly hard to bring oneself to ask the question: what next? Will these brilliant patchworks of fabric and era continue to wow, and, if so, for how long? The designer said that the Forties had particularly inspired his current “montages” and proceeded to point out the introduction of print –black rain splashes on silvery silk and ornate patterns, like flocked wallpaper, on devoré velvet – all highlighted his incredible instinct for colour. It’s no mean feat to make pink, navy, purple, grey and mustard stand up on a single outfit, let alone when each colour comes in a different weight of fabric – it’s a technical nightmare that looks easy and elegant in his hands. As did the Swarovski crystals, scattered across a yellow clutch, the hip of a dress, encrusting a languid satin cuff. So now that he has conquered this brilliant balancing act, what next?
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