It’s the season of romance and love. If you are wondering what to wear for that perfect date, what colour’s best compliment you, what colours inspire you and what are ‘in’ this season, or the trends that are ruling the international runways, you have reached the right place.
The desire for colourful self-expression is a key trend for Spring 2018. There are four core basics colours that are seasonal essentials. Not only have they been named as The Pantone Colours of the Season but have also been showcased by world-renowned designers on international platforms. Carrying forward the aura of romance and sensuality, these trending hues are perfect for the season and are sure to complement varied skin tones.
Pink Lavender: Pink lavender is a soft and romantic violet rose that is the sister of lavender. It has seen a rise from last year with the emergence of unicorn pastels, ultraviolet spectrums, and candy floss pink.
Blooming Dahlia Pink: With its seemingly suggestive scent, the subtly alluring Blooming Dahlia pink is an intriguing hue with threads of peach and orange. It is a flowery desert pink that is fresh and opulent.
Crabapple Pink: Crabapple pink is a muted peachy-pink, yet sophisticated and effervescent like the flower. A great example of a colour that oozes feminism with bold and prominent notes of pink.
True Red: A fierce, persistent and strut-worthy red that is so versatile in its appearance is the colour, True Red (a name given by Pantone). It is the most commonly known red that captures attention in the blink of an eye. It suits every skin tone and brings out the strong, independent, 21st century women in you, at any given hour of the day.
Cherry Tomato Red: Cherry tomato is a tempestuous orangey red that exudes heat and energy. Demanding attention, this courageous, never to be ignored, shade is viscerally alive.
Now that you have a gist of this season’s crucial colours of love, here are a few instants and how they have been used on international stages by the best designers of this generation.
BACK IN TIME (60’s Inspired Silhouettes):
Back to the era of padded shoulders, boxed yet feminine silhouettes, puffball skirts, ruching and asymmetrical hemlines.
This season has seen an abundance of 60’s inspired cuts and styles back on the runway, with works of designers like Off- White’s polka dotted hot pink dress, and Alexander McQueen’s off-shoulder red leather midi length flared dress with metal bustier lace knots that give you a southern country feel. Brick reds, cherry tomato reds, and bright reds were some of the colours that were most prominent during the 60’s; they are back this season by Salvatore Ferragamo with deep necklines and semi-formal shirt dresses, Victoria Beckham’s ruffled necklines, and free-flowing summer dresses, and metallic latex trousers by Topshop. The most prominent style of them all was seen by Tibi’s collection of pink lavender and mauve pantsuits, power shorts and silk blouses.
PICTURE PERFECT (Art Inspired Fashion):
Is fashion art? An answer to that eternal question was once given by Pierre Bergé, who said: ‘Fashion is not art, but it needs an artist to create it’.
But that didn’t stop Miuccia Prada from collaborating with eight illustrators to take inspiration from comics for her well-curated garments, nor Donatella Versace, as she reprinted works of Andy Warhol and pop art Vogue covers all over her collection, in tribute to her brother Gianni Versace. House of Dolce & Gabbana showcased a story of love through the medium of print works and embellishments inspired by the queen of hearts. A more modern approach to art inspired fashion was seen by Coach with graphic prints, typography, and pop art. Lastly, the master of art in fashion, Alexander McQueen, took the audience into a world of lust, power and the fragility of love through colour, expression of makeup and his Avant Garde creations that included materials like sheer, latex, plastic and tulle.
A PLUS (Asymmetrical Hemlines):
A myriad of hemlines that promise to take you from day to night adorned many designers’ collections this season.
The asymmetrical hems were once spring’s biggest statements, one that promotes unique cuts in looks that best describe the ‘sexy without trying too hard’ attitude; only this year its back with more finesse – lengthened skirts and dresses. Asymmetrical cherry tomato red, open front, ruffled skirts was the highlight of Victoria Beckham, while Alexander McQueen took ruffles to a new height with an Avant-Garde tomato red bustier dress. Altuzarra showcased varied asymmetrical hemlines through easy silhouettes and breezy fabrics, keeping the summer heat in mind. Unlike Altuzarra, Paco Rabanne went against the spirit of summer with a red silk- one-shouldered dress with ruching at the waist embellished with silver buttons.
BURLESQUE (Slip Dresses):
A 90’s classic, the slip dress has slowly made its way back onto the runway since 2016, with new re-inventions of the classic.
It once stood as a symbol of dexterity, worn by Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow. Today, the slip dress is a classic piece adorned by women all over the world as an ode to sophistication and, most importantly, as an appreciation to the fashion rulers of this generation. Ralph Lauren showcased a collection inspired by collectible cars of which was a stunning floor-length slip dress, rather gown, with a panel of black through the centre mimicking a Ferrari. Oscar De La Renta gave the slip dress a makeover with heavy embellishments and sequins – a perfect dress for a night out with the girls. Nina Ricci, Coach, and Salvatore Ferragamo re-invented the slip dress with lace trims, lengthening the silhouette and ruching at the waistline.
SUMMER SPECIALS (Midi to Maxi Length Dresses):
A summer essential, midi and maxi length dresses have always been wardrobe must-haves for the season, be it boho prints, florals or solid colours.
This season, this garment has taken a twist on the runway, with Calvin Klein’s flash dance shouldered midi length dress made of plastic and Valentino’s interpretation of the maxi dress, made of sheer fabric with pearl embellishments. Tom Ford, favouring the trend of ruching, created a powder pink evening number with geometric metal finish embellished sleeves. Marc Jacob’s crabapple pink maxi dress was the highlight of the show with a handcrafted rosette at the waistline and metallic trims that covered the entirety of the garment. Tibi stuck to the essence of a summer midi dress with a pink lavender A-line dress, an orchid neckline, and double folded hemlines.
WALL STREET WOMEN (Power Suits):
The future is female! Hot off the spring 2018 runway, the power suit trend is quickly emerging this season.
In a time of political unrest, designers are strongly vocalising their support for female power through design. Proof that there’s so much more to the conservative two-piece than the parody of a 1980s executive woman; double-breasted blazers and a pair of crisp, tailored trousers is an ensemble that commands attention. Now, they are neat, androgynous and statement-making with pops of colour, prints, and embellishments. Designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Oscar De La Renta had an array of pastel pink to blazing red power suits with varying lengths, panelling, trims and detailing. Donatella put out a different kind of power suit with a bodycon tailor-made dress and blazer that screamed feminism. Victoria Beckham went with a lilac double-breasted oversized blazer, straight cut trousers, and a pink lavender dress shirt, while Tom Ford kept it fresh and simple with a hot pink double-breasted blazer and a floor-length jumpsuit with a plunging neckline.