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If there is one thing you will learn about the fashion trends this season, is that, it will certainly prick your conscious and make you aware of what you are actually wearing.
Informative swing tickets and advertising campaigns (explaining the company's environmental and Fair Trade policies), has spearheaded a new level of awareness, that is sweeping through the high street thanks to stores like Marks & Spencer. In essence, S/S 2007 has a juxtaposition of underlying themes that make up the trends, ranging from: the ethical, the practical and the quest for supreme luxury. What and where you buy — this season — indicates your stance (or feelings) toward issues like Fair Trade, exclusivity and the practical attributes of clothing. Finding an appropriate balance were you look fashionable yet, still manage to do your bit for "fellow man" and the environment, is all down to your shopping prowess and . . . your conscious.
BAGS
There was once a time when a logo was the most covetable and symbolic attribute that could ever adorn a designer piece. In all its boldness, it shouted your status (or aspirations), your allegiance to a particular fashion house and, your style. Jettison to 2007 and now, for the most part, logos and the whole "it bag" phenomenon, has become a tad — common. Their power to denote the purchasing capabilities of a select group, has been lost in a sea of mass production, over exposure attributable to counterfeit copies. So, as a result, the luxury goods houses have upped the stakes. Luxury bags, this season, come in the most exotic skins to ever grace the catwalk — ensuring the likelihood of them being reproduced, are reduced to zero. And get this, many of them, have shed the visible logo on the outside of the bag. Craftsmanship, attention to detail and an understanding of the lifestyles of the women who will use them, has almost cultivated a breed of bags with distinct personas to reflect the fashion house's client. Clever interior pockets for mobile phones, mp3 players, purses, sunglasses you name it, have been incorporated to organise your life and make modern day living that little bit easier. Although, at a price. Bags of this caliber, are born and bred in the couturier houses, destined to become collectors items like Christian Dior's Jeanne (below) available from Harrods. But, this unprecedented pursuit of luxury has come at a price, prompting bag prices to rocket to levels where the decimal point has moved way over to the right. Style, at this standard, undoubtedly leaves the wearer with the conundrum as to how to safeguard their precious possession from theft.
CLOTHES & SHOES
This season, the significant look is still chic and extremely feminine as seen at: Celine, Lanvin and Louis Vuitton S/S '07 catwalk shows. Day to eveningwear can easily be layered and contains loosely shaped, albeit, short dresses/tunics; beautifully embellished or made from striking geometric patterns. These patterns either come in two camps, the perennial favourite monchrome or, bursts of neon colour as seen at Christopher Kane. Whatever colour you choose, the look is adaptable chic on the run because if its too hot, you can take a layer off, too cold leave-on or add something extra. Jersey vests, sleeveless tank tops and white shirts all make a resurgence this season and are perfect when teamed with leggings, masculine trousers or shorts. Surprisingly, animal and African prints are also back, but are subdued by a tonal palette of creams, beiges, coffee and blonde hues. Another big fashion trend that continues into S/S '07 is metallic or shiny fabrics seen on anything from bags like Anya Hindmarch's Elrod to Giorgio Armani's liquid creation for Oscar nominee Cate Blanchett. There is no doubting that metallic or shiny fabrics are the ultimate partywear worn with the intent to dazzle if, you are an extrovert. However, if wearing the look (from head to toe) is too bold for you, you can dilute it, by wearing separates (either a white pair of trousers or skirt etc. with a metallic top) for a more individual look. For the traditionalists among you (who love wearing dresses) there are a plethora of styles that cater to your every whim. Floral print dresses, floaty numbers: with ruffles, under skirts and pleats, wrap-over dresses, practical t-shirt styles — in colours that range from dove grey, to bright yellow climbing to the bold heights of cobalt . As in defiance to all this femininity, masculine pieces (as seen at Margaret Howell and D Squared) were throw in for those days when you mean business, or when the weather really does take a turn for the worst. Trousers seen on the catwalk, were cut to look like your boyfriends, and were teamed with crisp cotton shirts or polo shirts shrouded in hooded parka's that can withstand the heaviest of down pours. The same theme has been copied by the high street although, the look best suits those with long lithe legs for it to work. Step in an assortment of shoes, sandals and wedges that will give you the height needed. Embellished with anything from studs (Dolce & Gabbana) to beading (Loewe), design teams also paid careful attention to the height, shape and look of the heel/wedge. Baubles shaped heels , heels with contrasting materials, concave heels, wedges with cut-outs in the middle; added extra oomph to styles. Some of these same features have translated well onto the high street at shoe stores like: Kurt Geiger and Faith although, those who fear a nose bleed on wearing, can opt for pretty ballerina pumps. These are now available in a variety of summer colours including: metallic gold/silver and leopard & zebra prints. Team these with the array of pretty (yet, matured) Peter Pan collar coats — with their fluted sleeves (and in some cases, bubble hems) — and you have got, one of the most extraordinary mix of themes ever to have been incorporated into a single season. |
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