The third and final installment of Fashion Month in Collage. With Milan and Paris come the big names - Gucci, Prada, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, et al. The run up to shows from these major houses bring anticipation as we wait to see what their input into the future fashion landscape will be. They didn't disappoint, of course. Gucci alone spawned a flood of Instagram posts, tweets, and hastily written show reports to celebrate Alessandro Michele's vision; which has seen the label steer away from its glossy past and into an eclectic Margot Tenenbaum-inspired future. The new Gucci girl is retro yet somehow super contemporary. In fact, Michele seems to excel at finding unlikely partners and blending them in sweet harmony. Charity shopper meets aristocrat; granny meets college girl. This new direction has resulted in soaring sales. As Vogue's Sarah Harris put it, "there hasn't been an on-brand shopping epidemic like this since Phoebe Philo joined Celine."
And with that slightly unplanned ode to the new era Gucci, onto a trend that they had down to a tee...
Suits You
Perhaps it's because I'm in the middle of a Boardwalk Empire marathon, but I have a new found appreciation for a sharp suit. Translate that over to womenswear, add a palette of rich clashing colours and an embroidered kipper tie or two and you're onto a winner. This is, without a doubt, my absolute favourite trend to come out of the SS16 shows. I wholeheartedly welcome the sumptuous tailoring seen at Gucci, Rochas, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dries Van Noten. There's something about a suit that makes you look ready to face the world, and if that suit happens to be crafted from emerald brocade, then all the better.
All Tied Up
Leading on from a more formal, classic approach to dressing in the form of two piece suits, neck ties and bows have also made something of a comeback thanks to Gucci (again), Lanvin, Erdem, Marc Jacobs, Haider Ackermann, and more. It's an accessory that can span multiple styles from romantic and girly, to 70s glam throwback, and Chrissie Hynde-esque boyish. I'll be embracing this trend to the max over the coming months.
(See also: bandannas at Sacai).
