Art inspired fashion was the significant trend to emerge from the S/S '08 catwalk shows.
Striking in its deliverance, and only used by a handful of designers, the world of art became the inspiration behind key pieces in summer collections. Coinciding perfectly with the major exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts called, From Russia — French and Russian Master Paintings from 1870-1924, from Moscow to St Petersburg; fashion designers recreated some of the same work ethic and genius of past great painters who, documented (with candid precision), their subject matter.
Using fabric as a blank canvass, Dolce & Gabbana, Basso & Brooke and Afshin Feiz, dipped their creative talents into a palette of vibrant, and in some instances sombre hues, to reflect the mood of the season.
Through colour, these designers showed their expertise at deriving at colourways and stroke placement so pleasing to the eye, that whilst worn, each designer piece became a walking, living work of art.
A refreshing inclusion into summer wardrobes, the designs were a stark contrast to summer perennial favourites like: floral print tea dresses or the more extreme, safari fern/tribal patterns that usually appear. Not to be dismissed, even these summer staples were radically modernised, by the likes of Stella McCartney and Betty Jackson, into wearable blooms that bolster summer dressing into something vibrant and exciting.
If prints simply aren't your thing, the international catwalks yielded other safe bets from which to choose from. Like perfume, block colour clothing seemed to come in either top notes or bottom notes. The bottom, consisted of black and grey; and shades of nude — all of which were seen in the winter collections. Whilst the top notes, included rainbow bright shades of: yellow, red, blue, orange and (the colour of the season) fushia.
Denim jeans, the most versatile item in any wardrobe, is still available in darker colours but, in a wide-leg fit which is more flattering to most women's shapes. These same jeans, can work well with the nautical stripe t-shirts and jerseys (in both red and white and blue and white), that are common on the high street. Even LVMH, has taken the nautical theme one step forward, by incorporating a ship print pattern on a series of pretty tea dresses and blouses (in silk), into their S/S '08 collection.
As though to navigate these ships, designer labels: Chanel and Yves Saint Laurant, have used star prints whilst the likes of: Givenchy and Ralph Lauren have both opted for enlarged polka dots as their preferred choice of print.
The military look, first seen in Balenciaga's A/W catwalk show last year, continues to get a look-in, with high street stores such as: Massimo Dutti, Peacocks and Top Shop using the concept for some of their jackets. This look (for some designers), has been marched off the level grass battlefields onto the African landscape, to produce a crisp safari collection, consisting of belted jackets, pocketed shirts and practical shorts in flattering khaki shades. As if to reinforce the discipline of regimental dressing, a variety of school style blazers and preppy looks have emerged that can quite easily be mixed in with the nautical look described before.
The power struggle between silhouette shapes (straight or billowing), strap placements (one shoulder or two but, at a skew), skirt shapes (short & full or pencil) and waist cinching, is only quelled by the wearer [you] who is left with the ultimate resolve — choice.
See below for key pieces and looks for S/S '08. |
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