The fact that he designed the knitwear for Gareth Pugh's first six seasons is often quoted when Craig Lawrence is discussed, but it is also something that, as each of his own seasons pass, seems less and less important. Having shown his first five on-schedule seasons with NEWGEN funding, Lawrence has firmly established himself as the go-to expressionist knitwear designer.

Having done a lot of travelling recently, both of the luxe and the budget kind, it was natural Lawrence would become influenced, drawing from his experience showing in Hong Kong and juxtaposing with a coach trip to Liverpool

He has proved his skill, shown he can make garments that are both exciting and distinctly desirable and is firmly known for a super sexy yet experimental look with a classic understanding of form and shape. Having done a lot of travelling recently, both of the luxe and the budget kind, it was natural Lawrence would become influenced, drawing from his experience showing in Hong Kong and juxtaposing with a coach trip to Liverpool. “It was really about the two different elements that have become a part of life I guess, luxury travel versus that sense of nostalgia that comes from the great British coach journey,” he confirms.

“It was really about the two different elements that have become a part of life I guess, luxury travel versus that sense of nostalgia that comes from the great British coach journey

Patterns found on coach seats came through in three dimensional knits on the garments as colours were darker shades – reds, browns, greens mixed in with Lawrence's signature golds and giving that sense of glamour. Big chunky yarns were, as ever, woven through to create volume and shape but this season saw them pared down a little and often given over to snoods and shawls. Overall it was a collection that pinpointed the growth that this young designer has been making over past seasons and showed him as someone with a clear understanding of his own aesthetic.