An unusual round of shows, a schedule which did not see editors and influencers fly around the world to check out the latest collections, but one which featured a variety of audience-free catwalk shows, presentations and digital offerings. However, spirits were at an all time high when it came to the collections, with designers keen to move on from the annus horribilis that was 2020. Bright colours, loud patterns and lots of glitz dominated this seasons catwalks.
Paint-box brights
The theory of Dopamine Dressing has been floating around the fashion industry of late – it claims that wearing bright colours can actually boost your mood. A much needed reprieve from the black leggings and grey lounge sets which ruled our wardrobes last year. Super-brights ruled the AW21 runways.
Pictured from top to bottom: Versace, Prada, Tod's, Roksanda, Rotate Birger Christensen, Raf Simons, Loewe, Versace.
Logo – a - gogo
There’s something to be said about owning an heirloom piece from a design house, and many are harkeing back to their monograms from decades past, showcasing their classicism and success. For nostalgic 70’s fashion lovers like ourselves this retro look is set to be all the rage.
Pictured from top to bottom: Valentino, Gucci, Chanel, Marine Serre, Versace, Balmain, Fendi.
Sequins and Sparkle
The feel-good lets get dressed up and go out factor is big this season. But this isn’t your clubbing dress kinda sequins. But this isn’t your 18-year-old self getting ready to go clubbing, its all over pants, long dresses, blouses and jackets. Forgo the subtlety from 2020, this year is set to be more opulent and in-your-face.
Pictured from top to bottom: Paco Rabanne, Connor Ives, Miu Miu, Prabal Gurung, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Dior, Ashish, Givenchy.
Monochrome Matrix
Cruella has cemented our obsession with monochrome. The ever classic monochrome gets a quirky and elaborate twist over at Dolce & Gabbana where checks rule, in typical Gabriela Hearst fashion monochrome is done in leather and full length and over at Balenciaga sequins and lace envelope the 2 colours into fanatastical drool worthy dresses.
Pictured from top to bottom: Dolce and Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Simone Rocha, Balenciaga, David Koma, Dolce & Gabbana, Simone Rocha, Chanel, Dior.
Make Mini A Midi
A reliable transitional piece – the midi is the perfect halfway house between our reluctance to let go of summer and to start wearing pants. It hits mid-calf—hence the word midi—and works easily for day and night. Mix in the box and knife pleats and you have a AW21 winner.
Pictured from top to bottom: A.W.A.K.E Mode, Erdem, Erdem, Christian Dior, A.W.A.K.E Mode, Max Mara, Loro Piana, Thebe Magugu.
Primed for Print
Eccentric colours, bold patterns and vibrancy are all primed for attention grabbing. From Baroque at Rocha to Vuitton’s art imitating life prints, one thing is for sure, our dull pandemic wardrobes are worlds away from the AW21 runway.
Pictured from top to bottom: Versace, Roksanda, Louis Vuitton, Isabel Marant, Etro, Simone Rocha, Thebe Magugu, Valentino, Duro Olowu, La DoubleJ, Victoria Beckham.
Black is Back
All black outfits have made a strong comeback this season. Black’s ubiquitous power was once again on display on the AW21 runway – reemerging just in time for the cooler months.
Pictured from top to bottom: Schiaparelli, Simone Rocha, Helmut Lang, Dolce & Gabbana, Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, Nensi Dojaka, Bally, Maximillian, Hermes, Emporio Armani.
Strongest Suit
Pre pandemic us would have been shocked to learn how desperate we are to get back into our “work” wardrobes. But now the appeal and allure of smart tailoring is all too strong, and trouser suits take the prime spot. While a suit may still seem a little OTT, AW21 styles are slouchy, relaxed and perfectly in line with our newfound adoration of stretchy waistbands and extreme comfort.
Pictured from top to bottom: Palmer/Harding, Phillip Lim, The Row, Tory Burch.
Ski Bunnies
AW21 looks have us craving an alpine adventure. Miu Miu staged their show at an actual ski resort in Northern Italy (If you need 5 minutes of escapism – watch it!) with models walking across the slopes in layers of lush knitwear. Salopettes may be the new leggings….
Pictured from top to bottom: Disquared, Paco Rabbane, Emilio Pucci, Balenciaga, Miu Miu, Etro, Disquared, Vivienne Westwood, Chanel.
Comments