A sartorially superb seed has been sewn into Spring fashions this year; floral themes sprouting forth with fervour, both in nature and on the runways.
The traditional blousy floral has been given a sleek makeover, appearing in sharp digital prints, vibrant neon, reworked vintage tea-set patterns, and metallic lace.
Couturing take a closer look at the budding trends in the flowery world of fashion and identify some key looks to try this Spring.
Wedgewood and Oriental Flower Prints
Nanna’s tea set has nothing on these oriental-style floral prints, seen particularly in the traditional blue and white of Wedgewood china. Erdem serve up a cerulean spoonful of china-blue floral, which speaks lovingly of tea and scones and Regency charm. Current collections by Lela Rose, MSGM and Suno also feature beautiful oriental flower prints, with a Sevres twist.
Zimmerman’s Cruise collection “Clique Clique” is a perfect blend of sports luxe and vintage tea party glory, dripping with flowered prints in pastel shades of jade, peach, blue and white. Shiny satin and high cheongsam necklines accentuate the sense of “floriental”, a soft juxtaposition to the sci-fi elements of laser-cut and perforated fabrics.
Digital Print Floral
Digital prints aren’t going anywhere, and have been embraced by Australian favourites including Josh Goot and Michael Lo Sordo. Goot’s latest collection sees abstract floral motifs crawling like insects across chic sheathes, bomber jackets and tubular skirts, while Michael Lo Sordo spills fluid florals down silken silhouettes. Camilla and Marc’s “Secret Garden” print for the SS12 collection is a vibrant blur of nature through the eyes of an Impressionist.
Internationally, Rorschach-style flowered abstractions are seen in recent collections by Mary Katrantzou, and Peter Pilotto, both featuring vibrantly sci-fi digital blooms.
Flowered Lace
Collections by MSGM, Zimmerman and Dolce & Gabanna are foaming with unexpectedly metallic and neon flowered lace this year, as the demure yet ultra-modern answer to your garden-variety glamour.
Tapestry & Texture
Garden-themed tapestries and rich flowered brocades are a decadent nod to nature. Camilla & Marc’s latest features a signature French jacquard print blooming whimsically with camellias. Thurley plays petal-like frocks alongside large floral motifs; flocked peonies emblazoned on blazers and pants in hues of sharp coral and lemon. Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall collection features beautifully woven tapestry fabrics with a traditional floral theme.
Folk ‘Law’
Eclectically clashing floral prints are everywhere. At MSFW, Christine’s mismatched nature-inspired prints in neon and mustard with copious amounts of fringing made for a collection that was simultaneously quirky and delicate. Anna Sui’s SS13 collection has a folky-floral-meets-Lolita aspect, while Libertine has put forth a strikingly eclectic mismatch of blossoms. Marc Jacobs Resort collection is vibrantly 70s flowerchild, with vintage floral alongside sequins, tulle and mod chequered swing jackets. At MSFW, Alice McCall showcased gorgeous Dutch-girl prints under sheer silken gauze, a delicate fiasco of folk sweetness, while Jolet designs were imbued with a more natural aesthetic; tall poppies standing against a stark background.
Three Dimensional Floral
Manning Cartell’s cherry-hued chiffon appliqué at MSFW was reminiscent of a carnation, teamed with hibiscus print midi skirts to tame the frivolous froths of three-dimensional pink.
Also at MSFW, Above. whisked floral to the next level, embellishing a simple white shift dress all over with bunches of real wattle in miniature vases. A unique and whimsical nod to nature in its purest form… Indeed, wattle they think of next!
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Catch spring fever, but avoid the sneezes of hayfever, by nurturing a sartorial zeal for brilliant oriental floral, neon lace, tapestry, texture and digital prints. Your wardrobe will bless you for it.
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