A colourful season
Tight skinny jeans and skirts so short that they barely cover the derriere are about to give way to a summer of femininity and style. Fashion houses predict that this summer clothes will be far from dour. Shoppers can expect a rainbow of colours accented by romantic touches such as ruffles and bows.
For a woman there is no more traditional outfit than the pretty summer dress. During the working week it may be de rigueur to wear a black suit or a little black dress for after work cocktails, but come the weekend most women want to be stylish and fun. The floral summer dress is back as women see the flattering effects of flowing lines and fabrics such as silk and crepe de Chine.
'We offer a lot of colours, patterns and floral prints to give you a break from the office wear,' said Irene Fung, general manger of BCBG Max Azria Hong Kong. 'It can be a silk cr?pe de Chine tunic with appliqu? details, a jersey halter dress with graphic prints, or a floral print V-neck jacquard dress with tie waist.'
BCBG Max Azria prides itself on combining European chic with an independent American spirit. While it offers the full range of ready to wear it is best known for its dresses and evening gowns that have been seen on the glamorous frames of Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Lucy Liu.
Ms Fung said that women could use the colourful trends that mark this season for a range of styles, so if floral is not your thing there are strong colours and geometric prints to choose from.
'Whether it is a single accent hue, flamboyant floral prints, or bold geometric patterns, they make a strong spring summer statement,' she said. 'Fluidity and romance are the key elements. Bows, waist ties, ruffles and drapes all contribute to the look.'
BCBG Max Azria's range includes a confident off-the-shoulder fuchsia cr?pe dress and a draped aubergine-coloured microsheen jersey dress that falls in folds down the body. Other fashion houses are also promoting the trend for feminine. Armani Exchange offers a pretty densely pattered one- shouldered dress with a ruffle extending from one shoulder to under the other arm to catch the summer breeze. It also marks what Ms Fung believes is the end of the trend towards brevity in hem length.
'Miniskirts and minidresses are out,' Ms Fung said. 'They are now mostly knee length or at the most four inches above the knee.'
Marc Jacobs has gone for geometric printed fabrics draped and belted to compliment the feminine form while Diesel's Devoral dress is rocking. A cr?pe-pleated halter-neck dress that rests above the knee, it coveys a girlishness in its design, but a rock chick attitude in its deep black fabric.
Perhaps the Devoral design is looking to the future as trends for Fall 2009 continue the preference for draped silhouettes and geometric cuts. Ms Fung explained that this was complimented by specific treatments for fabrics.
'Texture is redefined as embellishment through intricate pleating, trapunto stitching, shibori dying and hand painting,' she said.
The futuristic feel will include matching accessories such as metallic hosiery, platform heels and Lucite jewel-box clutches.
Ms Fung said key trends that supported the artistic and functional sensibilities of constructivism would be illustrated in fabrics and colours.
'Gradient washes of sepia tones accent jewel hues, giving life to raw velvet, wool cr?pe, liquid jersey, satin and silk jacquard,' Ms Fung said.
With the choice ranging from the traditional to the futuristic, women can step out and choose the fashion that compliments them and their lifestyle.
'All the chic women are reading the same magazines and sharing ideas in Facebook,' she said. 'What is important is the individual's taste and lifestyle.'
