This report is compiled by Melissa Dick
Lady Luxe
Lady luxe is another trend that has been influenced by
the coquettish style of 1960s fashion. It marks the definite return
to sophisticated, feminine, dressing, simple silhouettes and is
a clear move away from eclectic hippy layers and denim.
Key to this look are day dresses, coats, couture fabrics
and metallics, but also chunky stack heeled sandals that bring it
teetering into the hip 00’s to stop lady luxe feeling twee.
The Burberry show in Milan was an essential collection for the lady
luxe trend. Designer Christopher Bailey steered this brand to a
new class that was in his own words “more refined and grown
up” than before. He had imagined young English girls dressing
up as old -fashioned debutantes and in doing so created a look that
was about “royalty not rock.”
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Inspired by pictures of old Burberry
ad campaigns, shot by the Queens cousin Lord Lichfield, Bailey reinterpreted
the famous Burberry trench coat. It appeared in caramel iguana,
silk brocade, with cap or bracelet sleeves and with high waisted
belts or bows – In a flash the brand was successfully returned
to its former first class status and by almost completely eradicating
the infamous Burberry check - Bailey is hoping this label will be
no longer be seen as a hijacked heritage brand worn only by football
hooligans and z-list soap stars.
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Silhouettes too were perfectly
on trend for summer, trapeze coats, high belted dresses, tulip skirts
and shorter A - lines on stacked heels. Also important were classic
fine knit cardigans and satin ribbon belts fit for any young aristocrat.
The palette of yellow, beige and antique gold added yet more sophistication.
All in all it perfectly reflected the designers feeling that fashion
has finally given up grunge and that sophisticated dressing is what
it’s all about. As fashion forward icons like Kate Moss trade
in rock ‘n’ roll bad boys called Pete for young aristos
named James, this is all a timely bit of posh
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Also in Milan at Marni, ladylike
coats and day dresses were prominent. Marni has
always looked to the 50’s and 1960s fashion for print and
silhouette ideas and this season there was no need to change. Signature
retro jackets and coats were worn over loosely fitted day dresses
all casually pulled in at the waist with this seasons belt - a ribbon.
Fabrics were luxurious as metallics mingled with silk and satin
and off beat colours like brown, blue and sea green were inspired
by the designers’ favourite artists (Yves Klein and Robert
Rauschenberg).
It was nothing out of the ordinary for Marni, which is always
a simple, retro, feminine and easy collection. As usual the eagerly
awaited stars of the show were the accessories - sandals, belts
and armour like necklaces concocted of strange combinations like
patent, string, resin, plastic, leather and sequins. Mischa Barton
has already been spotted in them so the high street version is sure
to be in top shop any day now.
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Both gold and silver were prominent
on the spring fashion catwalks and at Marc Jacobs
in New York what started as a fairly prim and prissy school uniform
theme soon evolved into the after school prom. Satin blouses and
loose pea coats for day, gave way to beautiful ladylike lame dresses
sometimes strapless or in the seasons’ favourite: one shouldered
design. Satin was inserted with antique lace panels and trench coats
worn over looked expensive, modern and chic.
Lady Luxe is upmarket and classy. It is all about couture fabrics,
simple sophistication and chic not cheap dressing, which is a contrast
to the hippy boho layering that we have grown used to. But it is
still a retro look and so vintage style addicts need not go cold
turkey just yet. It does not mean we’ll be abandoning thrift
store shopping any day soon, instead pass over the cheese cloth
smock tops and tiered ethnic skirts to find satin dresses and brocade
jackets that will be this summer’s vintage treasures.
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For your list of essential garments
to add to your wardrobe to make this Lady Luxe clothing look work,
look at Lady Luxe in High street.
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