Dressing for Spring With a Winter Breeze
Chilly mornings and lingering winds seem to not have coordinated well with the calendar's seasonal changes. Thankfully the Spring 2017 collections of Burberry, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Céline and Stella McCartney have given us inspiration and hope for these cooler days.
Take Advantage of Sweater Weather: Designer Christopher Bailey of Burberry reimagined the traditional cable knit sweater by transforming it into a layered one-shoulder shawl. Bailey’s vision translated into a flattering silhouette despite the unconventional lines of this architectural look.
Love the Jumper: One of many essentials for early Spring weather, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia of Oscar de la Renta share their love for cocktail tunics and day-to-night jumpers in their Spring 2017 collection.
Layer Up: There's no ignoring the low evening temperatures and blowing winds. The Valentino Spring 2017 collection featured a variety of floor-length trench coats to play on designer Pierpaolo Piccioli's romantic vision of complimenting lengthy gowns and flowing skirts.
Embrace a Lighter Color Palette: The Spring 2017 Céline runway was filled with earth-toned hues of white, blue, black, and brown. A soundtrack of city traffic and children’s voices played through the venue to emphasize the collection's transparency of a day in the wearer's life.
Relax in Looser Fits: Designer Stella McCartney took to light fabrics and relaxed fits with oversized jumpers, tops and trousers. A combination of full-coverage in light fabrics helps our Spring mentality embrace the last of this Winter weather.
Paris Fashion Week: A Muddy Palette
Designers took earth-tones to the runway as Paris Fashion Week is showing a color palette of muddy browns, tans, greys and greens. Balmain, Vivienne Westwood, Céline and Stella McCartney are a noticeable few painting the runway with neutral hues.
Inspired by grunge band Nirvana, the Balmain collection varied in shades of brown, tan, gold and orange, featuring embellished alligator vests, zebra-printed dresses, and thigh-high snakeskin boots. Designer Oliver Rousteing explained, "They’ve embarked on the perfect road trip, picking up influence while traveling across the globe’s most awe-inspiring landscapes – the Serengeti, the Far West, Amazonia."
Husband and creative director of Vivienne Westwood, Andreas Kronthaler announced his 75-year-old wife would walk the Paris runway. The Fall 2017 collection, a mix of signature Vivienne Westwood and Viennese Modernism, featured bold paint-spattered prints, marionette inspired makeup and hair styled with plastic bags and colored extensions.
Céline guests watched the show from rotating bleachers as models walked laps on the runway. Embodying an "as-the-world-turns" message, models accessorized with suitcases, carried travel blankets and wore map-printed overcoats.
Animal-rights activist, Stella McCartney debuted her cruelty-free Fall collection featuring indistinguishable "skin-free skin" fabrics with equestrian-inspired suede mini dresses, leather trousers and quilted jackets. The show payed tribute to singer George Michael as models lip-synced "Faith" in the show finale.