September 28, 2016
by Rachael Comeau
The color palettes throughout Milan Fashion Week this season have been very cohesive overall, but one tone definitely stands out from the bunch. A color that seemingly all designers are choosing to incorporate in their most recent collections for Spring 2017 is royal blue. This specific color seems to always be in style come springtime, but it seems to be even more prevalent than usual for 2017, at times taking on chambray and dusty iterations. Giorgio Armani’s latest offering was inspired by the word “charmani,” to which the designer gives the meaning of “the lightness of the body, seductively revealing itself, finding a new balance between discipline and freedom.” Many of the pieces featured the royal blue color, meant to evoke images of moonlight on the sea.
Similarly, Sportmax was also inspired by the sea, showing a sequence of fish-like silhouettes in dark blue hues. Jil Sander offered a slightly more minimalist approach, with clean lines, and the ever-popular, classic loose fitting spring silhouette. Ports 1961 showed a vacation-inspired collection, sure to take fans of the brand straight through winter and back to the warm summer months. Beachy stripe prints in royal blue and white also took over the runway, with one model even carrying a matching lounge chair with her.
Click through the slideshow above to see our top picks in royal blue for the next spring/summer season.
September 21, 2016
by Rachael Comeau
Pastel colors are definitely not a new idea or a particularly groundbreaking trend at that, but for spring/summer 2017 London designers are putting a spin on the traditionally super-feminine and ultra sweet color palette. Collections that can be considered staples of London Fashion Week such as Victoria by Victoria Beckham, Christopher Kane, Anya Hindmarch, Simone Rocha, and J.W. Anderson all showed versions of pieces in classic pastel tones of largely pale pink, blue, lavender, green, and yellow, but this time around, they took a darker, and much edgier twist. On the Victoria, Victoria Beckham runway, a crisp shirt and shorts set was shown in pastel yellow, but paired with dark denim slides, and a bold graphic print displayed different areas of California, from which the collection was inspired. Christopher Kane wanted the girls walking his runway to look edgy and sexy for his collection entitled ‘Make Do and Mend. He showed a pale pink dress with intense black lace detailing, and paired it with bold embellished leather gloves and shoes.
Arguably the most notable is Anya Hindmarch, who showcased her always creative collection highlighting handbags on a circular runway inspired by math and geometric shapes. A solid portion of the collection was done in pastel shades, but each piece was unsurprisingly unique and complimented by naturally, the quirkiest of accessories. Coats were a major strong suit for Hindmarch, a highlight being a lavender oversized coat embellished with shape detailing and shown with a pale green body suit underneath, coupled with angular, pointed heels. On the J.W. Anderson runway, long, streamlined silhouettes in blue and pink ombré pastels were shown layered with slashed, puff-sleeved blouses and chunky leather shoes.
Click through the slideshow above to see our top picks, showcasing this classic spring trend with a new edgy twist.
September 20, 2016
by Rachael Comeau
A consistent go-to for nearly every spring/summer collection is the bohemian look, and this season has not strayed away from that one bit. Bohemian prints were a staple on many runways this New York Fashion Week, fitting in perfectly with the loose-fitting, laid-back silhouettes that almost every designer turned to for their most recent lineup. In Nicholas K‘s safari and desert-inspired show, the design duo used geometric patterns on flowing garments in neutral earth tones, all of which contributed to the relaxed mood of the collection as a whole. Jill Stuart, who one can usually turn to to find edgier and more dramatic pieces, chose to incorporate boho floral prints on lengthier dresses, channeling a different yet still feminine look than is usually found on her runway.
Rebecca Minkoff‘s collection(separate from her “see-now, buy-now collection she also presented) featured an abundance of day-to-night pieces, including an almost-sheer floral tiered hem dress, ideal for her target market of young shoppers In Naeem Kahn‘s latest Spring/Summer lineup, he included romantic bohemian embroidery on a few of his pieces, which quickly became a highlight of his show this season. Thom Browne’s expectedly elaborate runway show featured bohemian looks mainly in terms of his completely pastel, relaxed color palette, complete with pastel blue lipstick. His dresses clearly combined fashion with art, as the prints were made to give the illusion of tailoring, while actually just being a part of the dress itself.
Click through the slideshow above to see how other designers channeled this classic trend, sure to show up in your wardrobe in time for next spring.
September 18, 2016
by Rachael Comeau
Velvet for the spring/summer season is perhaps the most unconventional trend we saw at this most recent New York Fashion Week, but definitely a look to get on board with. Designers paired luxurious crushed velvet and silk fabrics with classic warmer weather silhouettes and color palettes, ultimately capturing an effortless, yet unusual, summer vibe. Victoria Beckham’s is among the most noteworthy of these collections, largely for her great use of color. We’re used to seeing velvet in dark shades of grey or black, maroon, and navy, which were visible, but now they have been accompanied by vibrant turquoise, lavender, and silver tones. Sander Lak, the designer behind Sies Marjan, showed velvet fabrics in bold burnt orange and pastel shades of blue and pink, while keeping to the flowing, draped shapes that have been a go-to this season.
Another popular look for spring/summer 2017, one that is more frequently associated with the warmer months of the year, has proven to be the nautical stripe print. Designers such as Lela Rose, Rosie Assoulin, Zimmermann, and Red Valentino made beachy, seaside stripes an integral part of their most recent collections. Lela Rose took a more upscale approach to the usually casual style, incorporating the stripes look in red, navy and white onto classic summer gowns. Rosie Assoulin’s entirely beach themed collection featured cheery striped sundresses shown within a set of palm trees and beach lounge chairs, totally encompassing the summer mood.
Click through the slideshow to see our other top picks for two of the most prominent, and contrasting, trends this spring/summer season.