Yes, black can be a spring thing too
The other day I went to a chef’s table organised by a local kitchen company to mark the opening of its new premises. Its team did a fantastic job making our kitchen last year and I wanted to show my support.
I’d been expecting to see the usual glossy brochures at the event, showcasing the company’s work, but what I got was a headset that transported me into a virtual-reality kitchen where I could open cupboards, check out countertops and see how different materials would look in our home.
Wow, I thought, how incredibly fast our world is moving. Of course it’s exciting but also, at times, a little terrifying.
Fashion can often feel the same, as social media bombards us with questionable innovations from functionless zippers to dubious cutout details more suited to Gen Z and TikTok stars I’ve never heard of.
That’s why I will turn time and again to my loyal fallback guy – black.
Yes, I know that winter, thankfully, is finally behind us, but my love affair with this dark, moody colour is not about to end. Mr Black is way too sexy, sophisticated and interesting to pack away as soon as the blossom starts to bloom
And I’m not alone in thinking this unlikely shade makes an excellent, and rather exotic, choice for spring/summer.
Black was one of the trends dominating the latest runway shows, with Chloé, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Valentino all indulging their dark sides.
Of course, the colour takes a lighter touch than is typical in winter, with linens and skin-baring tricks such as crochet, backless dresses and jumpsuits or pieces dotted with lace, giving the look an unexpected softness.
One of the best things about
This shade is too sexy to pack away as soon as the blossom blooms
a simple black outfit is that it’s so easy to elevate with your own touch of elegance: while bright accessories give an eye-grabbing pop of colour, a white T-shirt underneath softens it.
I love to add sunglasses, the bigger the better, to my black to lend an extra air of mystery.
The French see nothing gloomy about black, rather the opposite – for them it’s a colour of celebration and high style.
That was certainly the view of the legendary Yves Saint Laurent, who once said, ‘There’s not one black, but many blacks,’ and, through his designs, showed the world that achromatic style is a subtle art.
Personally, I often find the most interesting person in the room is not the one in the brightest colours talking the loudest but rather the one dressed in black standing in the shadows.
Florals for spring? Pfff!
I’m going back to black.