CAST IN STONES
This month, all-out glamour comes to the fore. The new starting point? Haute baubles, jewelled trinkets, ultra-sharp tailoring and liberal sheen.
The latter half of the year signals a loosening of the mood and this time all-out glamour comes to the fore. The new starting point? Haute baubles and jewelled trinkets, as old-world ideas of elegance put fine jewellery back in the frame. Dress to complement armfuls and earfuls of haute jewels in souped-up party dresses, ultrasharp tailoring and liberal sheen.
PAVÉ FAVOURS
Louis Cartier had no way of knowing how ‘fierce’ would re-enter the modern lexicon as a byword for unabashed glitz, but fortuitously the jewellery maison still produces its iconic Panthère de Cartier pieces capturing simultaneously the feline allure of the animal, and that modern attitude. Pair with a stripped-back colour palette to allow to shine. Givenchy top, $2,900, and bustier, $2,600. Cartier earrings, necklace, bracelet, and ring, all P.O. A.
Rising to the occasion need not be uncomfortable, according to Ralph Lauren. This all-in-one illuminates the staying power of the jumpsuit even after-hours. Pair with monochromatic heels to give a lengthy illusion, but experiment with contrasting texture to amplify the impact of the shoes. Ralph Lauren jumpsuit, $6,699. Christian Dior earrings, $1,250. Prada shoes, $1,650.
BOWS AND WHISTLES
For her debut collection for Chanel, Virginie Viard incorporated girlish bows and camellias – a signature of the house and reportedly Coco Chanel’s favourite flower – to emphasise the female hand at the helm. To counter the girlishness, she paired these with lace and revealed hints of skin, declaring that classics are suited to a woman who is grown-up and dressed up.
Chanel dress, $16,365, and bracelets, from $1,105, from the Chanel boutiques. Chaumet earrings, $45,710.
SHEER POWER
It may be said that Alessandro Michele is the vanguard designer of this new age of elegance. Under his watch, tired associations of hosiery as winter staples have been promptly revised. Here, a rose lace pair serves not to cover but to highlight the legs, and sets the stage for knockout shoes.
Gucci dress, $13,800, stockings, $240, and shoes, $1,645. Bulgari earrings, $19,650, and rings, $10,400, on left hand, and $15,550, on right hand.
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1989
Hark back to mini-dresses and shoulder pads of the past. Carla Zampatti reimagines the 80s but for now, introducing zebra print rendered in sequins for a festive emphasis.
Carla Zampatti dress, $829, from David Jones. Givenchy earring, $1,050 for a pair, on left ear, and $1,300 for a pair, on right ear. Chaumet ring, P.O. A.
ELECTRIC HEEL
Alexander Wang saw no limits to his adornment when he respun his signature slingbacks and gave them the studded treatment. Think of the hot-pink satin heels as a helpful point of orientation: slip on first and build out the rest of your ensemble after.
Ellery dress, $2,290, from Harrolds. Linneys earrings, $35,000. Salvatore Ferragamo bag, $1,390. Alexander Wang shoes, $1,115.
BAG CHECK
Giorgio Armani designed his bags not to scale, but to impress. The humble evening shoulder bag has been generously reshaped to add volume to an outfit. Want more? Echo the volume in a party top with major ruffles.
Aje top, $495. Paris Georgia skirt, $579. Giorgio Armani bag, $5,100. Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, P.O. A.
MIDI-WAY
The prevalence of the midi-dress on the runways this season signalled a modest reframing of what is sexy. Take this version from Prada: it playfully riffs on conservative hemlines with sheer transparency. Emulate accordingly.
Prada dress, $6,360, and brooch, $430, on floor. Ginia slip, $220. Louis Vuitton earrings, $560. Tom Ford shoes, $1,895.
BLOUSE PARTY
Prim and proper connotations are revised at Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent, where patterned silk blouses have a decidedly decadent patina in rich gold, reminding us not to dismiss separates after dark.
Saint Laurent top, $3,320, pants, $1,690, belt, $1,100, and shoes, $4,610. Linneys earrings, $2,200, and ring, $3,300, on index finger. Piaget bracelets, from $7,800, and ring, $13,900, on ring finger.