Further to my last email....

I’m sure I can’t be the only one who sometimes feels like a prisoner of their keyboard.

Both at work and at home, a lot of my time is spent clicking and clacking away on little plastic keys.

No doubt one of the reasons that the Spring Summer 23 collection for JW Anderson raised such a wry smile on my old face was the fact that the collection was described as channeling "A parallel world of people trapped in their computers, blending with keyboards and screensavers, exploring other dimensions. Nature filtered by the digital ego, becoming a personal collateral. The arcade, after all, is not just for gamers."

The show took place at the Las Vegas Arcade in London's Soho and was a comment on the human relationship with technology and consumerism. Giant computer keys attached onto the front of sleek dresses or even a halter top made from hundreds of old keyboard keys. That sad off white/ yellow colour of old offices, obsolete computers and broken spirits.

Photography is courtesy of JW Anderson.

Proportions were big. Real big. "Proportions that go mega, technology that becomes degraded shimmers and shines," JW Anderson said of the pieces.

A dress shaped like a plastic bag was tied at the shoulder and printed with an image of a child peering through a water-filled bag holding a goldfish, while dolphins frolicked on sea blue unitards.

It wasn't all about work. Leisure activities also inspired looks.

"Leisure is important, so a hammock becomes a dress while jumpers and tees hang from laundry hangers,"

It goes without saying that I would catch that coat hanger on a door and decapitate myself.

Perhaps not quite the fashion moment that Jonathan had in mind…

Queen Marie

x