21st Century Craft
The Spring/Summer runways showcased garments adorned with craftsmanship.
Just when we thought this season had become all about minimalism and clean cuts, the designers decided to fulfill our dream of a little bit of added extravagance as well. The Spring/Summer runways showcased garments adorned with craftsmanship which something that we, in the subcontinent, love. The finer detailing was shown through a display of tassels, feathers and crochet galore.
The aesthetic behind this trend is very much one of craftsmanship, care and attention to detail. Many designers have reverted back to the use of techniques such as plaiting, weaving and knotting to create pieces that are closer to the couture houses of old than the ‘fast fashion’ of today’s fashion world. Precision detailing and craftsman ship have added an extra wow factor to this seasons collections.
Despite its references to the fashion history, there’s certainly nothing antiquated or dull about this trend. Designers such as Emilio Pucci, Elie Tahari and Matthew Williamson have given these traditional styles a modern-day makeover to bring us a selection of craft-inspired looks that fit the 21st century fashionista who enjoys decadence.
Elie Tahari
Elie Tahari the beloved brand of the jet-set gave us “craft” with a St Tropez twist. With the luxurious fabrics and sleek silhouettes there was certainly nothing homespun about Elie Tahari’s craft-inspired pieces. The collection simply oozed with old school glamour. Sleek silk scarves were treated to delicate fringed detailing whilst swimwear and dresses got the applique treatment in a glamorous range of shimmering golden hues. Crochet came into play in the form of elegant, draping sweaters, bodies and snoods, all of them belted, chic and beautifully suited to a life of leisure.
Emilio Pucci
If there was ever a brand destined to really go to town with this season’s decadent “craft” trend, it has to be Italian loved design house Emilio Pucci. Renowned for its extravagant and unapologetically detailed style, Pucci’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection never fails to disappoint and this year was no different. With their catwalks awash with tassels, ruffles, lacing, crochet and applique galore, Pucci took traditional techniques from its archieves and used them to produce something fresh and exciting. From fringed suede flares to electric blue tassle-covered mini dresses and maxi’s, there was certainly nothing shy and retiring about Pucci’s version of the “craft” trend. Each piece had a deliciously retro feel to it but with an injection of Pucci decadence, giving the collection a sort of “hippie luxe/ haute hippie” vibe. Be warned, this bold take on the ‘craft’ trend is guaranteed to turn heads and Pucci’s full-length, body-conscious crotched creations should only be attempted by the most confident of fashionistas.
Matthew Williamson
Out of all the designers who tapped into this seasons “craft,” the London based design genius of Matthew Williamson’s collection not only stood out due to its sheer beauty, but also offered up some of the most wearable pieces around. One of my personal favourite designers, Williamson gave us craft with a safari-luxe twist in a palette of browns, green, oranges and burnished metallic’s. From fringed jackets to the elegant appliqued dresses, every piece in his Spring/Summer 2011 collection could step of the runway and walk straight into your everyday wardrobe. Williamson combined self-indulgent pieces, such as a particularly show-stopping plaited bodice with floor-sweeping tassels, with simple separates such as silk harem pants that created a look that’s part craft, part utility and entirely gorgeous.
Iman’s Dos:
Grab a tasselled bag
Invest in an embellished blazer
Get a crochet kameez for those hot summer days
Iman’s Don’ts:
Wear bright coloured tasselled pieces
Wear more than one statement craft piece at a time
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2011.
The aesthetic behind this trend is very much one of craftsmanship, care and attention to detail. Many designers have reverted back to the use of techniques such as plaiting, weaving and knotting to create pieces that are closer to the couture houses of old than the ‘fast fashion’ of today’s fashion world. Precision detailing and craftsman ship have added an extra wow factor to this seasons collections.
Despite its references to the fashion history, there’s certainly nothing antiquated or dull about this trend. Designers such as Emilio Pucci, Elie Tahari and Matthew Williamson have given these traditional styles a modern-day makeover to bring us a selection of craft-inspired looks that fit the 21st century fashionista who enjoys decadence.
Elie Tahari
Elie Tahari the beloved brand of the jet-set gave us “craft” with a St Tropez twist. With the luxurious fabrics and sleek silhouettes there was certainly nothing homespun about Elie Tahari’s craft-inspired pieces. The collection simply oozed with old school glamour. Sleek silk scarves were treated to delicate fringed detailing whilst swimwear and dresses got the applique treatment in a glamorous range of shimmering golden hues. Crochet came into play in the form of elegant, draping sweaters, bodies and snoods, all of them belted, chic and beautifully suited to a life of leisure.
Emilio Pucci
If there was ever a brand destined to really go to town with this season’s decadent “craft” trend, it has to be Italian loved design house Emilio Pucci. Renowned for its extravagant and unapologetically detailed style, Pucci’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection never fails to disappoint and this year was no different. With their catwalks awash with tassels, ruffles, lacing, crochet and applique galore, Pucci took traditional techniques from its archieves and used them to produce something fresh and exciting. From fringed suede flares to electric blue tassle-covered mini dresses and maxi’s, there was certainly nothing shy and retiring about Pucci’s version of the “craft” trend. Each piece had a deliciously retro feel to it but with an injection of Pucci decadence, giving the collection a sort of “hippie luxe/ haute hippie” vibe. Be warned, this bold take on the ‘craft’ trend is guaranteed to turn heads and Pucci’s full-length, body-conscious crotched creations should only be attempted by the most confident of fashionistas.
Matthew Williamson
Out of all the designers who tapped into this seasons “craft,” the London based design genius of Matthew Williamson’s collection not only stood out due to its sheer beauty, but also offered up some of the most wearable pieces around. One of my personal favourite designers, Williamson gave us craft with a safari-luxe twist in a palette of browns, green, oranges and burnished metallic’s. From fringed jackets to the elegant appliqued dresses, every piece in his Spring/Summer 2011 collection could step of the runway and walk straight into your everyday wardrobe. Williamson combined self-indulgent pieces, such as a particularly show-stopping plaited bodice with floor-sweeping tassels, with simple separates such as silk harem pants that created a look that’s part craft, part utility and entirely gorgeous.
Iman’s Dos:
Grab a tasselled bag
Invest in an embellished blazer
Get a crochet kameez for those hot summer days
Iman’s Don’ts:
Wear bright coloured tasselled pieces
Wear more than one statement craft piece at a time
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2011.