Julien creates a work of art - WalesOnline

JULIEN MACDONALDS Eastern-inspired collection was described as a stunning work of art by celebrity admirers at London Fashion Week.

The Merthyr Tydfil designers collection for spring/summer 2012 was unveiled at the weekend and he said he took inspiration from trips to the Far East and a fascination with Geisha girls in Japan and ancient Chinese art.

Sheer shimmer dresses that looked as if they had been painted on paid homage to intricate Chinese wood carvings, while elaborate dragons and delicate fish-tail and foliage motifs draped models bodies as they walked a runway surrounded by jasmine-scented candles.

Slithering snakes curled around waistbands as dragon wings crept over shoulders and backs.

I thought about what Id done before and I did feminine flowers for last summer, rock n roll for autumn/winter and this time around, I really think Im turning Japanese, the designer said. Tattoos are the obsession of the generation and theyre huge in Japan. So I took the tattoo and I used it as embroidery. The techniques painstaking and took long, long hours for months and months.

Celebrity guests included Lorraine Kelly, singers Eliza Doolittle and Alesha Dixon, and Bianca Jagger.

Presenter Kelly said: That was what I call a triumph. Juliens a great British designer. It was stunning, a work of art.

Alesha Dixon, who wore a nude and black cobweb detail dress by the designer, said she was blown away.

Eliza Doolittle said: I dont know how he does it its incredible. The dragons down the back were my favourite. I love how he makes every woman look so delicate and feminine.