Spring-Summer fashion treats

Financial tensions have a way of fracturing industries and the fashion world too can’t escape it. Due to the luxury sector recording mixed results in 2014, leading brands kept their cards close and didn’t venture too far into the unknown. The result was a sense that not many things had changed

Colour palettes embraced nudes, moved on to pastels (particularly yellow and sky blue) then red which appears to be the accent colour of the past few seasons.

Denim exerts its appeal for fashion designers as well as customers alike as can be seen in Roberto Cavalli’s lacy shirt and frayed pair of jeans combo (frayed in just too many spots btw). And Burberry Prorsum’s denim jacket with fur trimmings worn over a delicate, soft yellow, chiffon dress (very nice). Chloe meanwhile teams a denim skirt featuring buttons down the front and large pockets (also with buttons) with a soft, blue jersey. Cool.

Another utilitarian piece is the summer coat which comes as trenches notably Moschino’s over-the-top, netted, gold trench with bold piping and huge golden buttons (you could mistake them for quarter plates). Loewe has a long, below-the-knee golden suede creation, while Porsche Design has a very elegant up-to-the-knee one in nude with delicate gold buttons (real bon ton). 

However, Ralph Lauren takes it all a notch higher with a short khaki-coloured trench worn over a khaki pencil skirt that will see you want to take off on a safari, even if you had planned to do nothing of that sort in your life (just remember to shoot with your camera that’s all).

Parkas too can be found such as Dolce & Gabbana’s fringed black number worn over an extremely la dee da, peekaboo, and lacy affair (careful where you wear it though, as it may take you to places, you may just not want to go). 

The period which provided the greatest inspiration for most brands were the 70’s as seen in the fringes in Tom Ford’s leathery short skirt and jacket, kaftans and the tunics.

Another notable return is that of the trouser suit, both formal and slouchy as well as skin tight and disco. Check out Emilio Pucci’s perfectly tailored, sleek grey pants matched by a pink suede jacket with flower embroidery. Pretty.

‘White-a-while’ says BCBG Max Azria with a graceful all-white ensemble composed of a full sleeved silk jumpsuit matched by a tie-up vest crafted in a thicker material.

Pastel pleasure can be all yours with Giorgio Armani’s dove-grey, demure, long-sleeved top featuring a very interesting chiffon collar worn over comfortable pants.

Tout flower-power with Chanel’s gorgeous dress-and-caped-coat-team-up, splashed all over with blooms (and don’t forget to pull on those very-flowery boots too for effect, ok?)

You could also, ‘Stride in Stripes!’ (Vertical or horizontal). Ermanno Scervino takes the latter option with a caped, coat dress (a new term no doubt but I’m sure you get what I mean).  It’s richly brocaded blue and green material has a royal touch to it incorporating golden threads with criss-cross, basket weave pattern.

On the other hand, Missoni presents a highly elegant, knee-length coat worn over a delicate, knee-length skirt in pastel green and purple, with horizontally panels of colour. Matched by tie-up shoes, it offers pure temptation for those visits to the art galleries and to shopping malls (to grab some more ‘must-have-but-can easily-live-without luxury products).        

Alberta Ferretti endorses three trends in one go, with a charming, suede leather dress with lacy cut-outs and fringes (just perfect cow-girl attire for a lazy day of roaming around in town).  

Or you could simply ruffle-it-all-up with Etro’s blue georgette blue printed, spaghetti dress with a gypsy-feel to it, teamed with an embroidered blue jacket highlighted by vertical stripes.

Drape as many (really looong) chains as you wish around your neck, slip on charm bracelets on your wrists and hook on a pair of drop-gorgeous earrings and you’re on your way girl!

It’s after all your life. So live it just any way you choose, head held high and unapologetically.