The Blogazine

Trends viewed at London Fashion Week for Spring/Summer of 2016, showcased the strength of the British fashion scens and its designer’s ability to implement change while revering a well-known heritage. In particular, there were three trends for the upcoming season to keep a look out for.

Back in Time – History lovers are going to be pleased. Looking back and taking influence from previous seasons is not a new occurrence in the fashion industry. Looking back several hundred years is however not as common. Several designers presented dresses, shirts and many more items with Victorian or Elizabethan elements. At Erdem long dresses with Victorian collars were seen kept up to date by adding cut outs or modern textiles. Voluminous arms and a sleeker bottom reminiscent of 16th century menswear were seen at several shows, including Giles and David Koma, who kept it within current time by combining the silhouette with a contemporary print or through juxtaposition with other silhouettes.

See-Through – As an extension of the previous seasons, see through materials were also part of the British fashion scene, where the composition of materials created a luminescent conjecture. It is a flirtatious yet simple way of adding edge to a classical element. Be it via a sheer bottom such as lace or mesh skirt, as seen at Burberry Prorsum, or an organza-like pair of pants at Issa, or even mimicking a stained glass window, like at Christopher Kane.

All white – An oldie but goodie: it’s a color that has become as much part of the summer fashion as a floral print. Almost as a continuation of the “see-through” trend, the all-white attire was often accompanied by transparent features, showcased, among others, at Vivienne Westwood Red Label. An update from previous seasons was adding an accent with smart accessories, such as a harness, as seen at 1205, or by positioning two different white materials against each other, as seen at Christopher Raeburn, creating a play on asymmetry.

London is a city known for being both traditional and whimsical when it comes to fashion. It has made several prints part of its routine, for the Spring/Summer of 2016 there were primarily three motifs in focus.

It’s a Garden Party – As to be expected in London, the botanical print was seen on many runways prolonging its reign over spring and summer fashion. However, a few updates had been made to the traditional print. At J. js. Lee a mixture of cut outs and applique gave the illusion of flower petals attached on an otherwise plain dress generating a twist to something classic. Emilia Wickstead brought together a silhouette reminiscent of the 16th century with a customary floral print showcasing that, together, two anachronisms can become modern. Especially when the silhouette in question is inspired by traditional 16th century menswear, but remade for the women of the 21st century.

It’s the Eye of the Tiger – Animal prints, particularly cheetah is to be an alternative in the upcoming Summer’s sun. The print was seen on everything from coats and accessories at the House of Holland show and as show-stopping sexy dresses at Versus Versace. The print was also part of an interesting deconstruction at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and a 1980s inspired body at Sibling. It was about walking a fine line between clothes and costume without ever crossing over.

It’s All Graphic – Bold prints with everything from swirls, harlequin and other psychedelic patterns were profiled as part of the main prints for the Spring/Summer of 2016. Jean-Pierre Braganza presented several looks with an abstract mismatch indicative of a Picasso painting mainly on silky dresses in black, white and red. At Daks a monochromatic print was adorning head to toe looks of pants, shirts and maxi dresses. It was the quintessence of more is more. Gareth Pugh also went the monochromatic route while Holly Fulton had colorful swirly patterns with a more abstractly floral accent. The key was making a statement, the pattern was the focus.