This report is compiled by Laura Emerald
Romantic
Romance was in the air at the international collections for spring summer 08. There was a bohemian, hippy vibe to maxi dresses, while ruffles and frills gave tailoring and transparent fabrics an air of whimsy. It all made for a very practical trend – something for everywoman. Fabrics and prints were forgiving and flattering as attention shifted away from silhouettes to focus on details we can all buy in to; stars, one shoulder necklines, draped jersey and folds of sheer fabric.
You would be forgiven for thinking this new romantic air might spell young and girlie, but this was not the message from the catwalks. Romance was grown up – for the modern woman, who will wear a ruffled shirt under a suit for work, a one-shoulder dress for a summer wedding and star prints on tailored pieces.
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Sheer fabrics dominated the spring summer 08 collections. In New York Diane Von Furstenberg provided a masterclass in translating see-through fabrics in to a wearable look, teaming a delicate chiffon top with billowing wide leg pants and chunky tan leather stack heels. For the brave and the bold sheer tailoring and see through panels on dresses and skirts from those known for their more directional designs, were almost x rated, but for most of us, this will be how to wear sheer this spring. Clean lines and pure tones also provided a blank canvas for spring’s new make-up. Banish the bronzer, it’s in with fresh faced beauty. A slick of pale pink lip-gloss and rosy, just-flushed cheeks will do it.
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At Alberta Ferretti – a designer known for romantic elegance - ruffles and frills spelled grown up glamour. Tiered organza dresses in subtle sherbet colours and white were feminine and chic, not girlie-girlie. Adorned with discreet diamante jewel details at the waist and neck, it was a look that can be dressed up with strappy sandals for a summer wedding, or dressed down with flat, metallic, gladiator sandals for a bank holiday weekend barbeque. Accessories and make up were kept minimal, and hair was lose and low maintenance, letting these delicately crafted details shine.
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Elegant, ‘Roman-esque,’ dresses, draped jersey and one shoulder togas fit for history’s most enduring romantic heroine, Helen of Troy, paraded down the catwalk at Lanvin in Paris, evoking ancient splendor, Hollywood glamour and womanly allure. Creative Director Alber Elbaz married one-shoulder necklines with longer length hemlines, ensuring any flesh on show looked sophisticated and sexy, not tarty. Whilst the draped jersey fabric encouraged us all that this, one of summer’s key trends, is also figure friendly. (Those folds hide a multitude of sins.) Teamed with calf slimming, chunky heels in neutral shades the look was powerful and strong without the need for winter’s ubiquitous black, spiky hardware or dominatrix details
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One delicious surprise for spring was the appearance of stars as a major theme, seen on everything from tailored jackets to belts and necklaces and even heels at Yves Saint Laurent. Conjuring up romantic notions of magic and mysticism, Stefano Pilati’s metallic stars shone like jewels on structured coats and chic skirt suits, juxtaposed against clean lines and crisp whites – a great way to buy in to the romantic trend without ruffles and frills. It means anyone can flash their fashion credentials wearing stars this season.
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For your list of essential Romantic
fashion garments to add to your wardrobe to make this look work,
look at Romantic in High street.
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