Garden Variety : Trend Report SS15

What would spring be like without flowers? Same goes for the runway, I do not dare think what S/S fashion week would be like without floral patterns…a scary and sad world it would be. Each season it’s not a case of will they appear, but in which forms?

Clockwise from top: Simone Rocha, House Of Holland, Giles & Oscar De La Renta

Tropical prints were huge hits for SS14. For SS15 Leather mini skirts with 3D floral and botanical prints, was seen at Fendi. Floral in geometric prints with midi skirts over boots at Max Mara. The bohemian sheer, chiffon pieces with applique flowers at Alberta Feretti. Matthew Williamson has Balinese flower prints on blouses while House of Holland did funky clashing florals and patchwork jeans, both with 70's flower-power chic in mind. Red wallpaper florals were also present at Simone Rocha, Celine and Dolce & Gabbana while Marchesa and Rocha's Woodstock vibe floral scattered across sheer gowns.

To sum up this season's floral, bold, appliqued flowers whether scattered over an organza skirt or arranged in striking panels on a simple black dress, ditzy florals in red, yellow, pink and white. Both delicate and daring, with plenty of lace with stunning embroidered and 3D-appliqued. Reminds me of a romantic bohemian meadow.

The Explorer : Trend Report SS15

Military style has always been a favourite and huge influence in fashion. I personally think its something to do with female empowerment where theres something alluring about a woman who can hold her own. A great balance between masculine and femininity are what this fashion week is all about. There's a shift in tailored womenswear. It's not all ruffles, feathers and obvious femininity, we witness some sleek and modern woman who dresses for utility in khaki, army green and earth tones but still retains a look of effortless poise. The look creates a ‘get up and go’ aesthetic with Long line, shirt dress, belted oversize jackets and flowing blazers, its a softer take on military.

Sometimes it's the little details that stick out as in the case of utility pockets (mainly on NYFW). Front facing, large, flapped pockets have been spotted across the runway. A new safari jacket with a nod of urban chic should keep you fashionably warm for winter. It was an expedition on Ralph Lauren, Victoria Beckham, Trussardi and Nicholas K's runway albeit through African safari, Saharan desert or streets of India. These women are the curious explorers, a chic and extravagant ones nonetheless with jewels, hats and messenger bags to stash her valuable findings.

Clockwise from top: Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Victoria Beckham & Trussardi

Stripes VS Grid : Trend Report SS15

While stripes are no stranger to spring runway for once, a spring stripe that's not "nautical". Lets celebrate the freshness of these strong, multi-colors, graphic, non-nautical stripes, they were iterated in various directions, widths, and on different fabrications. Designers haven't shied away from all-over stripe looks, Giles and Suno did striped pyjama trousers and suits, Preen went for cricket stripes, and Peter Pilotto offered asymmetric panels on skater dresses, carrying varying stripes to good effect.

Clockwise from top: J. JS Lee, Giles, Preen & Thomas Tait

We also now have a sister trend on the grid, literally. Grid. Whether it be sheer, lattice, die cut or disguise as gingham its all here. Snappy black and white windowpane checks bring mod flair to strait-laced shapes demonstrated by Proenza Schouler, Balmain and Versace. Gingham doesn't have to be vanilla and strictly at children's picnic. Adult vision of gingham was seen on: soft knits and layered at Oscar De La Renta; chic wrap dress at Diane Von Furstenberg and sleek shirt and pencil skit at Altuzarra. So put that on your next S/S check list!

Clockwise from top: Temperley London, Akris, Bibhu Mohapatra & Oscar De La Renta 

High Shine : Trend Report SS15

After talks of decade of the seventies that has inspired many designers for next spring now lets look at colours. A spin off from the disco era (e.g. Tom Ford) we see a lot of metallics, both cool and warm tones. Metallics move forward every season with new textures. This SS15, electric sheen finishes came in the form of patent leathers, high-shine plastics and lurex fabrics like silk organza and satin.

The jewel shades of red, yellow, blue and green injects life into the mute pastels of the past summer season. Most notably at Michael Kors, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Victoria Beckham, paired with sunshine yellow, truest red, electric blues and emerald green.…I could go on, but let just say, it’s a trend.

Clockwise from top: Emilio De La Morena, Zimmermann, Lucas Nascimento & Christian Wijnants

Iridescent was also a common theme throughout. The ethereal sheer looks at Mary Katrantzou and space age party dresses at Markus Lupfer, Nineties/Millennial from Richard Nicoll. Looks were enhanced by muted metallics of white, silver, grey, pastel blue, pink and lilac. This shimmery palette works well across basics and dressier pieces.

 Clockwise from top: Monique Lhuillier, Honor, Richard Nicoll & Reem Acra

70's Groovy and Flared : Trend Report SS15

Every season, a particular decade takes over the runway. This SS15 fashion week was no doubt the 1970's time. The 70's is the decade of decadence and freedom of expression through fashion. The hippie child of Woodstock peace, love and music and the glitzy Studio54 rock stars goddesses were the year runway's muses.

The hippie culture dominated the late 60's and carried onto half of the 70's. The flower power child wore bohemian silhouette with a heavy folksy influence, free flowing breezy gauzy tent dresses and wide legged pants and of cause the birth of the maxi dress! The new length in contrast to the mini skirts of the 60's.  Arts and crafts elements such as tie-dye, batik, crochet and embellishment were also very popular. There was a great sense of ease and comfort to early 1970s clothing. Rich earthy tones dominated in popular colors; warm browns, burgundy, rust, mustard, and avocado green. Designers like Etro, Matthew Williamson, Emilio Pucci and Alberta Ferretti that has giving nod to this Boho spirit through wispy billowing dresses, plunge neckline, fringing and waistcoats.

Clockwise from top: Alberta Ferretti, Etro, Dries Van Noten & Pucci

If Boho make love not war is not your cuppa and you prefer something a little more glam then the 70's will also aim to please. Glitter rock brought on to the scene flamboyant boldly colored clothes in lux fabrics like satins, velvets and lurex. Disco brought excess and decadence. Designers and celebrities partied with the beautiful people at Studio 54 in New York City. Tom Ford, Saint Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger all channeled these party girls of the decade. This glam ladies not only parties hard but works hard too, they emerge in the workplace in pant suits, separates of masculine lines, leather, suede and pussy bows or skinny scarves looking smart and sexy a la American Hustle.

 Clockwise from top: Saint Laurent, Derek Lam, Tom Ford & Tommy Hilfiger

Faux Real!

Yes guys. I'm afraid to say it but summer is over and winter is creeping in. Time to remove your holiday hats and sandals out of your wardrobe and into a bag labeled 'summer clothes'. Don't be sad though winter has its perks. You can now start layering and forgetting about bikini bodies and have a warm cup of cocoa curl your feet in comfy boots. Start looking forward to fall holidays. See, there you go...not all bad huh?

Talks of cosy and warm, winter without fur is like summer without shorts. Faux fur trend is so strong this A/W you will not be able to turn anywhere without getting fluff stuck on your lip gloss. Faux is now not a shameful word in fashion or a cheaper version of the real thing anymore. It's guilt free fashion with no fear of being attacked by PETA with the bonus also being affordable-ish (as more fashion designers are now going faux the price with likely increase). Up and coming British designers like Charlotte Simone and Shrimps have found the niche in this market and have created some crazy cool stuff for us to lust over. From big shaggy coats, scarves, cute collars, clutch and as previously blogged, keychians. These are all furry must haves!       

Shrimps  London-based designer Hannah Weiland serves up faux fur creations with an irresistible sense of fun. Fall14 collection is inspired by the pop art collages of Eduardo Paolozzi and British cartoons. These boxy shapes and colour block lines can be paired with silk pj's or feminine dresses.
shrimps.co.uk

 

British based designer Charlotte Beecham founded Charlotte Simone in 2011. Charlotte sought to reinvent the everyday scarf, designed the unique 'fur hood' that has become her trademark piece. Charlotte Simone aims to develop a variety of new shapes and textures with an ultimate focus on ‘reinventing the scarf’. The Popsicle scarf is now among celebs favorites. 

charlottesimone.com

Fluffy Friends

Hi! TGIF! I'm back this week talking about my new micro (literally) obsession. After absorbing in all the fashion week's great ideas and creations around the world I have so much materials to write about. So stay tuned. Enough about that though this post is about fluff...specifically on your bag. Designer handbags are no longer stand alone pieces of luxury accessories. You can now accessorize your accessories!? Well this is not exactly and brand new trend. We've been attaching cute things like My Little Pony and Hello Kitty toys on our backpack since we were children. Nothing has changed, it's still a great way to give bags your personalities be it through tassels, pom poms or mascots. It can bring a plain bag to life or a way of updating an old handbag.  Beware these furry friends on the runway like Fendi's Karlito and Monsters don't come cheap!

But don't worry there are some affordable examples I have found too. They're all faux fur so no fluffy friends were harmed during the process. You're welcome!

 

MCM Lion Bag Charm   

Shrimps Lenny faux fur keychain

Snow Bunny Keyring

claire's Fluffy 3 Eyed Monster