SPRING AWAKENING
There is a feeling of possibility in the air with the arrival of a new season. This spring, we are sharply attuned to the power of our clothes to pick us up and transcend the past as we look to, and dress boldly for, the future. Flourishes of colour, play
CLASH FORWARD
Nicolas Ghesquière’s anachronistic visions of future-meets-the-past breathed freshness into his newest collection for Louis Vuitton, inspired in part by motocross. Here, a look that is a bit bourgeois and a bit boyish drives home one of this season’s directives: dress up with a license to mix.
Louis Vuitton jacket, top and pants, all P.O.A., and shoes, $1,480.
PATTERN PLAY
Having a female designer at the helm of a house like Givenchy means each of
Clare Waight Keller’s collections were designed with an inherent need, and real know-how, to serve the modern woman.
The result? A dress that deftly balances elegance with ease of wear, updating a fail-safe silhouette with happy colour-blocked graphics.
Givenchy dress, $8,600, earrings, $950, and belt, $600. Givenchy shoes, $1,600.
SHORT AND SWEET
Miuccia Prada has been steadily and consciously upending expectations. So, instead of revisiting tired tropes of femininity in her collections for Miu Miu, she rewrote them: in floor-length leather trench coats, springy 80s bubble skirts and breathable knit jumpsuits with embroidered backs that skilfully defy spring’s synonymy with flimsy florals and dainty dresses.
Miu Miu playsuit, $2,160, and belt, $460. Paspaley earrings, $8,800, and $1,780, and necklace, $3,100. Prada shoes, $1,290.
COOL DOWN
A painterly quality is evidenced in Christopher Esber’s prints, here in white and Yves Klein-blue. Pooling and rippling on the body they mimic the way liquid-silk satin falls on the frame, and channel a free-flowing feel.
Christopher Esber dress, $890. Tiffany & Co. earrings, $850, necklaces, worn on wrist, $1,900, and $2,050, and rings, $1,000, $2,450, and $1,550.
DOWN TO EARTH
A predilection for warm, natural tones remains a runway constant. Aje’s terracotta trench envelops the body without weighing it down thanks to its lightweight fabric. The styling sleight of hand here is to layer a generous helping of jewels to add exuberance to daytime ease.
Aje jacket, $595. Youkhana bralette, $150. Christian Dior pants, $1,850. Bulgari ear cuff, $2,440, earrings, $5,300, and $7,500, necklace, $4,700, bracelet, $35,600, and rings, from left, $26,400, $3,610, and $14,000.
THE LIFE BOTANIC
In a collection predominantly made up of black, Demna Gvasalia’s exploration of clerical clothing comes unexpectedly into bloom in this Balenciaga dress. A sliver of houndstooth, peeking out from underneath oversized floral sleeves, points to the importance of buildable layers – and a healthy dose of clashing prints – for spring.
FRILL SEEKER
A revival of elegance was front of mind for designers who turned away from street-level fashion to focus on special pieces that are deliberately elevated. Emporio Armani’s asymmetrical ruffle creation undulates happily off the shoulder, daring you not to dance.
Giorgio Armani cloak, $2,450, and shorts, $3,700. Chopard earrings, $6,230.