Fall/Winter 2017 – what does it look like? With the chaos and confusion surrounding the world since September last year, a torch of rebellious activism blazed on through the collective shows of majority, with designers and brands making one point extremely clear – we will not stand by what is wrong! Fierce individuality surrounding issues of societal concern were referenced into collections as blaring slogans and messages over garments aimed at highlighting inclusivity, individuality, equality and basic human rights.
Also, the recent shifts in power structures (read, Creative Directors) across boards within the industry have led to a stronger appreciation and awareness towards diversity and inclusivity as a whole. The same has trickled down into collections and inspirations behind them.
The spirit of protest was accompanied by a sense of nostalgia that rekindled the fascination for certain trends belonging to the yesteryears, while some designers tapped into fashion aesthetics we have grown accustomed to in the recent past of seasons gone by, presenting fresh perspectives on the same.
FFT analyses and presents to you the Top 10 trends in fashion that would make up the latter half of this hopeful year. that is 2017…, hoping that all is not for naught.
Silver is the new gold
Gold was undoubtedly the colour for last fall; everywhere we saw, it shone in exuberance through all metallic everything! Metallic being such a huge grosser last year continues going strong for the approaching season – but with a new muse this time – shiny silver.The effervescent colour was spotted sparkling on suits and suit-dresses, trousers, jackets, slip dresses, blouses and cocktail dresses rendering this trend a huge seller for Fall/Winter 2017.
Asymmetric Hemlines
Asymmetric or handkerchief hemlines took over the runways at New York and London. Be it on anti-fit blouses and tops or lowers like culottes, skirts, tunics and jackets or even dresses and maxi coats – diagonally cut, askew hemlines was a trend that was spotted on numerous runways. Swishing freely in sheer, flowing fabrics or adorning as details of colourful fur over more serious renditions of (faux) leather on mini dresses and skirts – the hemline has left room for much experimentation for the coming season.
Something’s Fishy
Yesteryear’s most iconic and sensual accessory – the fishnet stockings/tights, is back with a bang this season! For once, the designers might have taken inspiration from the streets and Instagram feeds loaded with new and more wearable renditions on the revival of the trend. However, instead of layering them under denims as accessories, designers and brands took to runway by presenting them under flirty dresses and skirts along with unleashing full blown-out looks in the form of fishnet dresses, vests, sleeves, sheaths and tops! This is a trend definitely worth taking a note of.
Sliced to Perfection
Unpredictable slits here and there erupted from within dresses, skirts, sleeves and tops alike on the runways of New York and London for the Fall/Winter 2017 season. Cut-outs across the waist, mid-riff, over the arms and shoulders, exposing just a hint of skin, proved that less is definitely more, especially when it comes to exposing this winter.
All the Frills
Ruffles have revamped themselves for the coming season with designers and brands presenting demure versions of the trend on dresses, pants, tops, trousers and sleeves.Feminine and more architectural, these frills appeared as trims on hemlines of the aforementioned pieces in soft and dreamy fabrics such as tulle and chiffon as well as more structured and bolder materials like (faux) leather and velvet rendering to a romanticized vibe on the runways.
Fall Florals
As the concept of seasons continues to diminish with each passing year, florals (originally associated with Spring/Summer) reinvent themselves for the winter season. Floral prints no longer limit themselves to dresses, blouses or tunics but have extended to pure outerwear pieces such as puffer coats, jackets and pants. Floral appliqué work, patches and embroidered motifs also find their way over (faux) fur coats, argan knit sweaters and other luxe materials for Fall/Winter 2017.
Cable Knit
Cable knits and argan knits found a way to render themselves stylish on the runways of New York and London for the colder months.No longer limited to the traditional, chunky sweaters, the detail has found its way onto cropped sweaters, off-shoulder knits, jumpsuits, play suits, tunics and oversized silhouettes in vibrant hues off the vibgyor to lend a youthful vibe to this conventional detail. Designers presented ribbed, twisted textural details over striped, colour-blocked and patched versions of the trend.
Exposed Zipper
Fashion is all about attention to detail and of new approaches to conventional trends. For the Fall/Winter 2017 season, designers at New York and London decide to keep the zippers and closures exposed and multiple. Cropping up as slashes on jackets, flys, turtlenecks and even diagonally all the way through over dresses and skirts, the zips seem to be the new accessory favourite for the approaching season. Tinted silver zippers with a circular ring as hardware closure is the most popular trend in this category to be taken note of.
Au Naturel
Neutrals like khaki, camel, light brown, beige, tan have made their presence known on both menswear and womenswear runways for the approaching winters. These understated hues are being paired tone-on-tone atop or along each other, or balanced out with white for contrast in a variety of materials, product categories and silhouettes – even accessories. Designers have unanimously altogether ditched the traditional dark, moodier and monotonous palette associated with winters and have instead started focusing on neutrals, pastels and pops of bright tones in their collections.
Exposed Shoulder
There appeared to be a collective crush on the shoulders as the point of focus (closely followed by the waist) at the Fall/Winter 2017 runways of New York and London. Collection after collection revealed an intriguing fascination with the shoulder with materials lightly grazing and exposing the bony edges of arms. Off-the-shoulder styles have given way to one shoulder styles adorned with ruffles and deconstructed suits/shirts. A new development has been seen in the form of slits and cut-outs exposing the shoulders under jackets, dresses, and tops.
