What Are You Wearing
Hannah Richards,Worcester, wears a dress from Dorothy Perkins.
Having just returned from the Easter break, the long summer vacation seems an age away. But the world of fashion has gone on holiday early this season, it seems, taking inspiration from every corner of the globe and illustrating this with its offering of a variety of powerful prints.
With the spring/summer 2005 collections of Robert Cavalli, Giles Deacon and MaxMara all showcasing bold tribal prints and the likes of Dolce and Gabbana and Michael Kors flaunting some predatory animal prints, Africa seemed a favourite destination for designers. Hawaii comes a close second this summer with Moschino and Gianfranco Ferre exhibiting rich tropical patterns, mixed with some Seventies styling.
Tommy Hilfiger’s floor-length dress and Marni and Mui Mui’s dramatic use of colourful, graphic prints added to this vibrant culture of the bold and the beautiful. The high street stores have embraced the catwalk trends for everything sexy and safari, dynamic and daring with their own collections of printed designs.
As well as basking in an Indian summer, Topshop have a range of modern tailored dresses, camisoles and skirts influenced by the African addiction, whilst the inspired collections of Zara and Miss Selfridge show that wearing the bold printed items of this season does not mean sacrificing your femininity.
Although bold is certainly beautiful this season, by choosing a dramatic print in subtler shades, or teaming a skirt with a vivid design with an understated top, one of the hottest current trends becomes even more wearable and individual.
21st Apr 2005