Fashion Revision #2

Fall has fallen for spring and Elsa’s legends begin.

As this seasons offerings hit the rails, the collections are larger than life and they resonate with epic proportions. In my humble opinion its the most fabulous, freshest and inspiring A/W in many years. There was a tiny part of me who believed trends were beginning to become stale and predictable, i found the turn of seasons were leaving me somewhat disheartened and yearning for more. I yearn no longer, fall fashion has had a spring makeover, and I can’t contain the excitement.

Tom Ford is one of the pioneers of this new Fall/Spring movement. And his show is one of the most memorable in my eyes. He drew from an eclectic mix of inspirations from around the globe to create one of the most exciting and luxurious collections of the season. His global concoction combined in a lavish collection with an eccentric mix of texture, colour and print. His fabrics may have been Autumn/Winter appropriate with a myriad of multi-coloured fur but the whole collection had a distinctive fun, spring feel. Electric blues and scarlet reds clash harmoniously with pink and purple hues with tangerine notes in floral and graphic motifs, bridged by black lace and black and white geometric lines. Ford's vision is inspired and it has inspired.  

Following Ford's Fall revolution Rodarte gave us tie dyed maxi’s in swirling pinks, blues, reds and blacks complimented by rose motifs and blocks of stark white. Their knitted skirt and jumper suit is a seventies Peace Corps Pocahontas personified. Peter Pilotto’s iconic digital prints in bright reds, yellows and aquatic blues were more mediterranean cruise than mid winter freeze and Balmain’s jewel tones were definitively more summer in Oz than tornado season in Kansas. Fendi’s fur hawked army with floral motifs and bright blues, pinks and purples looked more in the mood for a summer music festival than a frosty winter tempest. Other designers to challenge the colour barrier included the ever vivacious Donatella at Versace, Matthew Williamson, Roksanda Ilincic, Sonia Rykiel, and Miucia Prada at the striped an spotted Miu Miu.

The great minds of modern design didn’t just draw colour and print inspiration from the opposing season they delved a little further as well. It may be Autumn/Winter but the fashion flock are daring us to bare. Bandeaus are big and bare shoulders are the new focus. They are the dress of the season over at Dior with a flourish at the hip or straight and streamlined with Schiaparelli-esque motifs. Bandeaus got a furry twist at J W Anderson while over at  Martin-less Maison Martin Margiela they got the shirt treatment. It was utilitarian practice at Miu Miu and over at Marni a dramatic fur scarf offered minimal defense against the elements. 

So as evenings close in and temperatures drop, we can keep our spirits high with vivid colours and prints reminiscent of heatwaves past. This year Fall has all but taken us by surprise with a fresh twist of fun-filled fashion. Bright colours that evoke happiness and hope are one way to fight depression in another recession trodden winter. The great Elsa Schiaparelli said “In difficult times fashion is always outrageous” and it seems this season is finally living up to her legend.



Above images: 1-5 Tom Ford, 6-9 Rodarte, 10, 11 & 12 Peter Pilotto, 13-15 Balmain, 16 & 17 Fendi, 18 Versace, 19 Matthew Williamson, 20 Roksanda Ilincic, 21 Sonia Rykiel, 22 Miu Miu, 23 & 24 Christian Dior, 25 JW Anderson, 26 Maison Martin Margiela, 27 Miu Miu, 28 Marni.

All images from style.com 

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