Trend Report SS15: Barely Minimal

Less is more. Oh well, haven’t we heard that enough?! After seasons and seasons of that minimalistic approach to fashion isn’t it time to go bold with prints and color and accessorize to the max?! Not just yet, so it turns out. This summer once again designers are opting for simple and sober, even if those minimalistic appearances that once were, are barely there any more. Yep, in stead of super sterile and colorless we’re seeing some exciting changes. Coming months a fuchsia jumpsuit (Costume National) can, for instance, be minimal. Just as a pleated tangerine dress (Salvatore Ferragamo). Or a coral red suit (Peet Dullaert). It’s all a matter of styling (no distracting jewellery, accessories, hair or make-up) and ways to carry a garment (own it!). Yet that doesn’t mean minimal can’t be fun. Sure, you can add croc leather and leopard prints (Victoria Beckham). Of course a subtle waistbelt and chunky bracelet are allowed (Céline). Yes, bright yellow (Hermes) works fine too. Even a touch of metallic (Fendi) can make this trend work. Not to mention asymmetric fashion (Marni, Margiela, Valentino) can be simple as well. Cute little handbags and strappy heels are permitted, naturally. Hands in the pockets, oh yeah! Dressing according to the minimalistic trend just got a lot more interesting. Enjoy it (while it’s hot)!

Saint Laurent Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2016

Fashion followers know that Hedi Slimane has been photographing the California beach scene for years — long before he replaced Paris for  Los Angeles. So now wonder his ss16 menswear collection has its roots in the “Surf Sounds” .

The pitch-black show venue was covered in kitschy palm-trees-at-sunset wallpaper. And similar motifs turned up on satin jackets and mohair granny cardigans, which the young models wore with the same nonchalance as black leather jackets.

There was plenty of Kurt Cobain in the men’s looks: the shaggy hairstyles; the white plastic sunglasses, the plaid shirts; the denim with blown-out knees. And there were plenty of literal thrift-shop styles.

 

 

Hot List: 16 Holiday Necessities (pack it up)

Summer season has officially started and we couldn’t be more excited we’re able to finally fully explore our ss2015 wardrobe. Now we’ve talked summer trends before, remember (Glitz & Glam, Boho, Khaki)? But there’s a difference between dressing for a summer in the city and getting dressed on your holiday destination. So for everyone and anyone planning to take a trip out of the country we’ve selected some of the finest holiday essentials. Whether you’re flying out to some exotic resort or driving up to the country; these fashion pieces will make sure you relax in style. It’s all about comfort and femininity. Also, no suitcase stress here; most items go very well together. Like Valentino red and khaki (this season’s it-colors); stunning! Or all white clothing worn with gladiator sandals; gorgeous! Not to mention boho/hippie attires make a perfect match with round shaped seventies sunglasses. Here’s our holiday hit list. 16 summer necessities. Pack it up, pack it in!

Something khaki (and safari jacket inspired, while you’re at it)

Mesh materials (to give you’re ultimate relaxation look a sportive touch)

Animal prints (especially on those exotic destinations) and maxi dresses

Breton stripes (not just when vacationing in France), so chic

Gladiator sandals (worn with airy tunics or kaftans)

Large bags (for books, baguettes and beach towels)

Ethnic influences and boho details (even, or should we say especially, when you’re just staying in Europe)

Co-ords; because they make up for instant elegancy

Something Goth, for when the sun has set..

Anything red hot (whether a bikini or a jumpsuit)

Round shaped sunglasses (seventies style)

An all white look (simply breathes summer and looks so good with a tan)

Kimono details (that loose fit is everything..)

A touch of disco (for when the beach makes way for the bar)

Fringes for fun (and to add to that boho beach effect)

A cropped top (to show off those abs)

Balmain Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2016

For his debut men’s wear show for Balmain, Olivier Rousteing was pretty good prepared. He kicked off with the hardcore techno track “Prepare for Glory.” He tapped the world’s most successful male model, Sean O’Pry, to open and close the show. And he stacked the catwalk with beauties like Alessandra Ambrosio, dressed in women’s resort. For inspiration, Rousteing looked to the great adventurers of the early 20th century — but this was safari male to the max.

Leather jackets were intricately latticed and laced, while a tobacco-hued explorer suit came spliced with a double-breasted jacket with gold buttons. In a nod to hip-hop culture, butter-soft suede was draped into a cowl-necked vest and slouchy drop-crotched pants, while a black sweatshirt glistened with a web of gold hardware. Rousteing plastered his signature gold crests, some featuring a lion’s head or a Union Jack flag, on jackets, including a tiger-striped ponyskin bomber with black leather sleeves, and a trim black blazer with satin lapels

Louis Vuitton Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2016

Kim Jones, menswear designer of Louis Vuitton, likes to travel. Looking for rare animals, hidden crafts and remote landscapes. In Myanmar last year, Jones came across a tribe whose handmade costumes — loosely cut and bearing dynamic stripes — brought to mind modern streetwear and a whiff of the Eighties hip-hop scene. More recently in Japan, he discovered Kobe leather, named after the pampered cows that produce that prized beef.

Jones dappled exotic prints and embroideries, mainly plucked from Southeast Asia, across traditional Ivy League silhouettes. He hit on souvenir jackets, also sending out sweatshirt versions and similar pajama sets decorated with birds of paradise, cranes and monkeys lodged in bamboo.

Accessories were mostly  totes in supple versions of monogram canvas that are, like the souvenir jackets and those coats in the thinnest leather, reversible.

Givenchy Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2016

Dries van Noten Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris SS2016

Dries van Noten honored Hollywood bombshell Marilyn Monroe, in his spring collection. There were black-and-white photo prints on suits, capes, shirts, sweaters, boxer shorts, you name it. And it will sure ignite a trend.  This collection echoed other Paris runwayshows in pointing to a more embellished path for men’s wear. Van Noten added sparkly embroideries and sequins to his roomy, vaguely Fifties clothes as Elvis Presley crooned “Love Me Tender”.  Besides Monroe’s lips, lobsters were a recurrent motif, winking to Salvador Dali and Elsa Schiaparelli, among “creative provocateurs” Van Noten cited as references.

The designer choose looser silhouettes, teaming his slouchy double-breasted jackets and boxy camp shirts with skater shorts.

Raf Simons Menswear Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2015

The flared black trouser legs puddled around the feet. The models’ heads were cloaked in checkered scarves, obstructing their view.  The space glowed red and the rave music rumbled. Raf Simons still knows how to set a mood of youthful rebellion, and the electricity of a fashion happening. There was certainly a punk spirit to his oversize macs riddled with grommets in geometric formations.  Edgy too were his oversize grommet-studded nylon rucksacks, which models lugged on heavy chains draped over one shoulder, dragging around their belongings like a burden.

The rest of the collection felt more familiar, as Simons continued to experiment with the narrow, elongated shapes he introduced for fall. There was his shrunken Seventies sweater vests, which helped exaggerate the oversized pants. Tailored jackets were either lean or gently oversized in sturdy woolens.

Streetstyle Icon: Chiara Ferragni

Don’t let her playful appearance full you; Chiara Ferragni may be a blogger on the outside, she’s a true business babe on the inside. Her blog The Blonde Salad has been named one of the most influential fashion blogs worldwide for years now, which makes Chiara part of the bloggers elite. In 2009 Chiara, who had a big passion for fashion, started sharing her looks. Six years later the Italian beauty reaches millions of fans around the globe with her outfit blogposts and makes a six figure salary. Her style may still be playful, the strawberry blond blogger only gets dressed in designer clothes nowadays. The biggest brands even ask her to sport their clothing before it’s presented on the runway. So don’t act surprised if you see Chiara in full on Burberry or Moschino looks that haven’t even had their catwalk debut yet. And just so you know Nike, Bottega Veneta, Isabel Marant, Kenzo, Calvin Klein, Converse and Proenza Schouler’s PR people are on her speed dial too. Blogging business is going well for this lady, who besides her Milan apartment has a second home in L.A. now, where she can get used to living the life of a Hollywood star.

Model Focus: Diana Moldovan

Her name might not immediately ring a bell, but it’s pretty sure you have seen Diana strutting down one of the many runways each season or striking on one of the huge billboards in the city. This 28 year old Romanian model, known for her doe-eyes and film-noir esque appearance, is growing bigger every year, leading the Romanian fashion pact as no other and captured a sturdy spot in the top 50 models.

It all started in 2006, when she signed a model contract with IMG in New York and Storm Management in London. It catapulted her right away to the top named models; it was even the same year she opened the spring Jil Sander show in Milan and was named as one of eight new girls of the season by WWD magazine. Followed only a year later by V Magazine and Style.com, marking her as one of the seasons hit girls. It turned all eyes on her. The result is an impressive resume packed with glorifying names such as Giorgio Armani, Clarins, Yves Saint Laurent, Blumarine, Cacharel and Chanel and numerous magazine editorials and covers (Vogue! ELLE! Harpers Bazaar!). And when you go looking on Pinterest for beauty images, there’s no doubt you’ll quickly stumble upon her pretty face. Or just Google #modelcrush and you’ll find your way out.

Yep, succes seems to be her middle name right from the moment she started out as a model. For this pretty face the only way is up. On and off duty that is, as in 2006 she won another lot out of the lottery: male model Sean O’Pry (ohlala!).

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