This report is compiled by Melissa Dick
Shiny
Metallic matters to all trends this season so pile it
on from head to toe in everything from gold leather trench coats
to silver organza gowns.
Texture and fabric are important from shimmering sequins,
heavy satin, and meteor-sized jewels that are encrusted onto necklines
to evoke a ‘60s space age feel. Jewellery takes a back seat
to let fabrics shine but accessories step into the spotlight with
oversized metallic leather and python bags playing starring roles
– so make like a magpie and don’t be afraid to shine
all summer.
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At Ralph Lauren
collection beautiful silver lame dresses had a 1920’s flapper
feel. Subtle metallic details and prints that were popular in 2006
are replaced this year by full on metallic clothes. To pull off
this trend, accessories and styling – or lack of them –
is important. Keep everything else, from shoes to hair, simple and
chic.
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At Lanvin in Paris,
the metallic look was bolder and less pretty, paying homage to classic
designs of ‘60s greats like Courreges and Paco Rabane to create
a cyber gladiator look. Heavy stud-work on simple shaped tanks and
skirts looked warrior like and futuristic, mixing gold and silver
together made the collection contemporary. This summer mixing gold
with silver and bronze is a new way to wear metallic, rather than
in the past when we have used metallic as a highlight, for example
adding a silver shrug to a black dress or a gold vest and bag with
jeans.
Shoes with wooden heels and lucite soles mixed old ideas from the
‘60s with new ideas based on the past – this is what
is fast becoming known in the fashion world as ‘retro futurism’
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At Stella McCartney
too metallic was a key theme. A new dress shape emerged on her catwalk
– and it has already been spotted on the high street this
spring. Known as the ‘shroom’ – it is a mini shift
shape with voluminous short draped sleeves. Note the deep plunging
V-neck, this has a slimming effect to balance voluminous sleeves.
Studded chain mail dresses and lame cocktail frocks also made
an appearance.
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The most striking and fantastical
version of metallic was at Balenciaga. Here models
like extras from the film Terminator strode out in bronze heavy
leather jackets and technically innovative, copper metal robot leggings.
This was a brave and bold vision for fashion’s future and
while we can’t expect to see robot leggings in Primark any
time soon, this collection will have enormous influence as a theme
for seasons to come.
Visors, shiny printed, jersey dresses and huge heavy wedge shoes
with ball bearings embedded into the sole finished this incredible
show.
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For your list of essential Shiny
fashion garments to add to your wardrobe to make this look work,
look at Shiny in High street.
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