This report is compiled by Melanie Dack
Block Colour
Black will always be in vogue, and always more so during the autumn winter shows. But over the last few seasons an overriding trend towards bold colour has taken the lead, filling the catwalks, and the high street too, with an explosion of colour that includes every shade of the rainbow - and more some.
This summer, the (largely teen) nu-rave trend that began on the catwalks, inhabited the high street (and some of our wardrobes) with tight jersey layers and slogan T- shirts, all in acid bright colours. But summer’s pop-y neon’s hold no place in a cold climate (or a grown ups wardrobe perhaps?) and winter skin needs a less acidic palette to warm it up, which means nu-rave neon’s have faded as quickly as our tans into a more sophisticated palette of kingfisher blue, coral red, bright mustard and vibrant purple.
These new colours were shown predominantly in two ways: either head to toe in one hue, or as block colour and pattern mixed with black and grey.
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At Dior in Paris, models appeared in outfits of every colour of the rainbow, but always wearing only one shade at a time, with no single outfit having more than one hue. Even down to the tights, bags and shoes, (the heel being dyed the same colour too!) The colours were never mixed, giving the impression that each girl had been dipped in her very own tin of paint.
It was an unusual, powerful and breathtaking way to use colour, and was at its finest at Dior, but popular elsewhere from Sonia Rykiel to Luella Bartley.
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This was seen at Pucci, where the signature style has always been about bright, bold patterns. For autumn, with Brit designer Matthew Williamson at the helm, the Pucci look was moved on into a 20s/ 70s inspired block pattern style, featuring classic Pucci colour combinations like mustard brown and orange, or fuchsia, pink and violet.
Again a tonal look was achieved by using coloured opaque tights and shoes to match.
Coloured opaque tights worn with black or coloured shoes reigned supreme and have all but replaced leggings, which disappeared from most catwalks.
Try claret, purple or kingfisher blue as an easy, low maintenance way to introduce colour to your wardrobe. |
In London at Paul Smith block colour was seen again.
This designer is known for his quirky English eccentric style and for winter ‘07 he presented a theme that looked back to the London of the 20s and 30s, with a flapper-like silhouette (deco drop waist dresses) and a masculine, bookish appeal (cardigan coats and pearls), reminiscent of the 30s literary Bloomsbury set.
Unusual, bright and bold colour combinations brought his theme up to date as did the flat patent, brogue shoes, which have already been spotted on the high street in shops like Topshop and Office shoes. |
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Autumn’s newest shade – purple - was the latest introduction to the rainbow palette.
Many designers added it this season from Donna Karen to Louis Vuitton, some teamed it with black as a continuation of the 80s pop theme, others like Consuelo Castiglioni at Marni mixed it with grey, beige, cobalt and lime creating an offbeat and unique style.
It will be one of autumn’s hottest hues for everything from tights and shoes to knitwear and even coats.
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For your list of essential garments
to add to your wardrobe to make this Block Colour look work, look
at Block Colour in High street. |
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