This report is compiled by Laura Emerald
Global Traveller
Designers drew inspiration from across the globe for spring/ summer 2009. From African prints to suede fringing influenced by the American Wild West. It made for an exotic journey that transported fashion reporters from the front rows of fashion week to the far-flung corners of the earth.
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Matthew Williamson has become synonymous with hippy-chic, boho summer dresses, for the stylish global traveler influenced by far off adventures. This season the holiday spirit was on the designer’s agenda again, perfectly tapping in to one of this summer’s hottest trends. Tropical prints in hot hues of fuchsia, tangerine and azure blue influenced by everything from batik textiles to Ibiza flee market finds were huge hits at his show, and will work from beach to bar this summer for every woman.
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Designers were inspired by Africa for the new season. At Junya Watanabe and Vivienne Westwood models stalked the catwalk in traditional African head scarves. Diane Von Furstenberg’s boho- Manhattan mix featured ethnic prints and feathered headbands, while Donna Karan offered DKNY city girls mini dresses in Inca prints.
Christian Lacroix, a designer firmly back on the fashion map, showed a master class in how to make these prints look now, by combining ethnic patterns with thoroughly modern cuts and shapes and the season’s hot colours. Traditionally African prints have worked best for relaxed holiday dressing but crafted in to a pretty cocktail dress they are now a fashion forward way of creating maximum impact at summer parties this season too.
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Marc Jacob’s Louis Vuitton show is one of the last shows of the month long collections. And by October last year he did everything to lift flagging fashion editors spirits with his tribal meets Parisian chic show -the key looks from which Madonna is now modeling for him.
Many of the clothes were not practical enough for everyday wear, but as a trend setter he will be copied and the explosion of tribal jewellery on his runway was instantly recognisable as a hot new trend that anyone could buy in to. Pairing layers of wooden beaded necklaces or one standout pair of statement earrings with a simple trouser suit (as Jacobs has done here) looks fresh and now. So will investing in a raffia or leopard print bag to contrast with neutral toned separates, and stacks of tribal-art inspired bangles to match.
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Fringing and Navaho influences made a return to the catwalk for summer, creating not only a trend for anything with a western influence but also providing a summer alternative to the rich textures, like feathers and sheepskin, that were everywhere for winter. Alesandro Dell’ Aqua pared down the look, and kept it wearable, by sticking to subtle, neutral tones and teaming more elaborate fringed pieces, such as this skirt, with simple shirts and utility-chic belts.
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For your list of essential garments
to add to your wardrobe to make this Global Traveller fashion look work, look at
Heritage in High street.
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