Though Milan Fashion Week is already well underway, kicking off with the maximalist Gucci show yesterday, we'd like to take a moment to reflect on LFW, in all its glory. From Christopher Kane’s shock Crocs, and Burberry and Topshop Unique ’s 'runway to retail' initiatives, to Donatella's high-voltage Versus collection led by Bella Hadid, London had plenty of excitement to offer.
While we re-charge ahead of shows from Prada, Moschino, Fendi and Armani in Milan, here we recap on what’s been trending in the capital city...
Statement Metallics
Metallics are set to be unavoidable for SS17. From silver lamé and polished brass, to molten gold, the trend was seen on the catwalks at Marques’ Almeida, MM6 Maison Margiela, Paula Knorr, Christopher Kane and Versus.
While Marques’ Almeida opted for reflective bell-bottom flared trousers (so shiny that you could almost see your face in them), NEWGEN’s latest recruit, Paula Knorr, swathed her models in silver leather that off-set her art-school prints. Meanwhile a series of the SS17 Versus mini-dresses featured pleated silver lamé inserts that complemented the skin-tight leotard cut from the same fabric that Donatella herself wore to the show.
Artwork by Anna Jay. Photos: Getty Images, Courtesy of Versus Versace.
Lace It Up
Revisiting many of his style tropes to commemorate the tenth birthday of his eponymous label, Christopher Kane re-graced us with his signature stretch lace mini dresses seen in his SS07 collection, decorated with gold metal rings, and teamed with those crocs.
On the last day of LFW, Marques’ Almeida sent monochrome prisoner-stripe silk shorts with a lace trim down the catwalk, alongside a pastel pink floor length slip dress with lace panels that exposed just the right amount of flesh.
At Simone Rocha we saw trenches and dresses in a broderie anglaise that the Irish designer created especially for the collection. Divine.
Artwork by Anna Jay. Photos: Getty Images.
Girly Gingham
If it’s good enough for Shrimps and House of Holland, then it’s good enough for us. Gone are the days when gingham was only seen plastered on shirts and dresses as part of a primary school uniform – gingham has been elevated to cult style status for SS17.
Hannah Weiland’s Shrimps girls wore traditional A-line dresses teamed with Chuck Taylor’s finest kicks in a deconstructed gingham. But Henry Holland’s sassy girl gang gave gingham a whole new lease of life, wearing the print on off-shoulder Spanish-influenced ruffle-layered dresses, floral embroidered bomber jackets, and Bardot crop tops served with matching trousers that flared from the knee down.
Artwork by Anna Jay. Photos: Courtesy of Toni & Guy, Shrimps.
Powerful Pink
From Molly Goddard’s fluoro-pink, tulle-dress-wearing, '90s-New-York-City-ravers, to Paul Smith’s Pepto-Bismol pink power suits – pink is trending for SS17. Goddard's neon frocks were designed to be worn anywhere from the post-show after-party, to a 30th birthday bash with the theme of a Sweet Sixteenth, while Smith's tailoring would look best worn exploring the French Riviera.
NEWGEN designer Marta Jakubowski showcased her collection which included raspberry velvet '80s-esque suiting and deconstructed velvet dresses on models who rotated around the presentation on a bright red carousel.
Artwork by Anna Jay. Photos: Getty Images.
Romantic Ruffles
There were high-shine black satin ruffle trousers at Marques’ Almeida, ruffled sleeves at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, ra-ra skirts at House of Holland and ruffle-necked blouses at Burberry; if you only adopt one style manifesto next season, make it the romantic ruffle.
If you're inspired by Christopher Bailey's collection, think Elizabethan-influenced shirts with oversized cuffs and frill collars, teamed with regal brocade cavalry jackets and pyjama silks, inspired by interior designer Nancy Lancaster and Orlando, the protagonist of Virginia Woolf’s 1928 novel.
Whether you’re going for a look that’s classically timeless or fiercely modern, make ruffles your first port of call for SS17.
Artwork by Anna Jay. Photos: Getty Images.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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