Coming for AW17 new details

Missoni Womens AW1718: A Political Powerhouse

Missoni Menswear AW1718

Prada, Menswear AW1718, Womens Preview

Miuccia Pradas’ AW1718 spoke volumes if you care to read between the artistic lines. Firstly unisex... with more women’s introduced at this traditionally “mens” time of year. We are not only loosing the seasons but the uniform of what is mens/womens. 

The 1970’s theme, one of quiet peaceful revolution, there was a clear left bank undertone. 

Then the nurturing of the unknown artist, with sweaters practically used as canvas, creativity could not have been more pronounced.  

This collection definitely leans more towards the poet laureate Bob Dylan than the White House wives.

AW1718 Landscape sweaters

Paint a pictorial scene in yarn. this is a gret trend for knit and a highly commercial one. I'm personally very excited about this as a designer. I have started working on this for clients already some time back, having seen this one coming as soon as Matches released those lovely beauties onto the market and then Vicky Beckham followed up with her scenic scenes and then her embroidery... how the high street with handle it? As one off pieces? or will the pictorial landscape disseminate into the Christmas jumper range?

AW1718 Walk Like A Lady

AW16 catwalks were awash with ladylike sweaters, Gucci and Mui Mui were two designers who put the chic back into the librarian look. Chanel has also pulled out the old style pearl as a key detail as well as pretty bows and pink pink pink. So we can see that this traditional Lady look with a capital "L" will be coming down the line for AW1718. Pitti filati also forecast a back to work trend so the two looks neatly tie up together.

Aw1718 Pick One Colour: RED

Peclers are putting their money behind one colour apparently, next year according to Janet Holbrook of Holbrook Studio. I attended a presentation last week- DIT, Arthur Ryan, Retail Centre and Janet revealed that the head of the Paris office had been heard to say to an American retailer when quizzed for a one colour of the season prediction " well, if you have to have one colour, it hazzz to beee RED"... so there you are... 

AW1718 New Colour Combos

Next season the traditonal spicey autumals will get a modern twist, be that with an injection of a solar yellow or by unexpected combination. Military greens & khaki are coming through these are being worn with dusty pink or combined with block red or spicey orange, injecting punch. In terms of fabric combine also the unexpected- lace & mirror satin for day, with fur (fake & highly coloured) suede, leather and printed woodblock effects.

AW1718 New Colour Combos flight of the bumblebee

As we accidentally nuke the humble bumble in our mighty fight against zika, the fashion world pledges a left field rememberance day. AW1718 will drink their nectar and pillage from their honey filled comb. Black, spicey ochre and solar yellows dance like little rays of light on dark grey days.

Pitti Filati Florence Knitwear Trend Aw1718

A sensural knit story of soft handfeel. Drape and viscose in fine gauge. Hairy soft and transparent yarns in chunkier gauges but still ligtweight. lots of pattern and a sophisticated palette of dark nightskies a beautiful combination of purple, blue and jade.

Pitti Filati Florence AW1718 Knitwear trends

Weave and Embroidery and other crafts have been heavily influnencing knit, artisan crafts. Pattern is heavy in this trend, winter garden, applique leaves, kidsplay, scribbled embroidery crafted yarns and interwoven layered yarns. Again jacquard this time in bright contrasting playful colours on double beds and textural heavy guage sweaters for later seasons. Treated yarns, fringes, checks, woven in ends... this is a playful trend full of creativity the only limit is imagination.

Pitti Filati Florence Knitwear AW1718 trend 2

We are officially back to work... the world is coming out of recession and we are getting dressed for the occassion. Again jacquard is important in repeat pattern with classic workwear motif, like lettering and check making an appearance. The palette a subdued blend of blue and a return of green undertones with classic camel.

Catwalk Update AW1617

An update from the recent runway shows FW 1617.  From a knit perspective... when will the high end catch up with the high street...? Afterall they are showing this collection just in the last two months and we are meant to salivate and wait... for another six to buy it? While high street stores turn out new fashion every size weeks. Meanwhile I have already completed my trends for FW 17- a full year away. 

We all know that the faster high street retailers will now have enough time to copy these catwalks to fly in and flood every chain in time for Autumn, Making a farce of the cycle anyhow... jcrew showed Autumn in "spring" colours... knits are now worn with bikinis... and most of us have the luxury of working in air conditioned or centrally heated spaces throuhout the year anyhow. Seasons now make little sense in fashion.

Pre Fall AW 16 for intake AW16

From the Pre Fall catwalks of 16, for this winters Aw intakes, lets take a quick look at the key knit trends- PATCHWORK, FRINGE, DARK CHARCOAL, ANIMAL SEVENTIES, SCANDI, POLO

My Top Ten Knit Predictions

My Top Ten Kit Predictions for AW 16 17

Pitti Filati Report, Florence

I was on my annual trip to Florence last week, 38degree temperatures and Autumn kit inspiration... in flip flops!...  The two are difficult to marry, but with some ice cream as incentive I tried to to distill the from the fair the basic trends, of patchwork, denim looks, lofty hairy pile/short length, and sewing over cracks.