Winter 2017 Fashion Report

The public – and the fashion world – has a fascination with the fairytale lives of royals that is as-old-as-time itself. From Kate Middleton’s latest polka dot dress to the cocktail recipe of hat “fascinations,” there is hardly ever a dull moment in the sartorial lives of royals. This trend’s empire waists, gilded floral motifs, rich fabrics, and royal hues remind us of fanciful, magical worlds. And in the world of fashion, with a hint of sparkle and a swish of fabric, magic never seems so far away.

Elie Saab’s Fall/Winter couture collection is a study on the modernization of the aristocrat. Velvety fabrics, gold-embroidered capes, and cold-shouldered sleeves breaking up a plush red dress connote all the luxury, all the finesse, and all the frivolity that keeps artists and wearers enchanted. Perhaps the new Broadway musical version of Disney’s Frozen should take a page out of Elie Saab’s book.

Cate Blanchett reigned from the red carpets in a majestic rouge and navy monochromatic Givenchy gown.

Demi Lovato dazzled in lavender Alice + Olivia silk, hitting the perfect note between timeless princess and modern woman.

Add some glimmer to your life a la royale via a frivolous feather, a gold accent, a princess cut silhouette, or a whimsical decoration.

As Giambattista Valli’s collection floated airily down the mosaic-tiled catwalk, black sequined tops, petal-pink florals, and sun-yellow gowns sparkled. Was this a season mix-up? Did Spring come early?

The collection breathes a decided “No.” This is neither the result of a designer’s confusion nor the result of a time machine: this is an ironic, humorous, and lighthearted reminder that in darkness, there is always light. It’s proverbial, it’s jovial. The sparkling and jewel-crested dresses offer optimism and inspiration for a sartorial season that can be otherwise bland and weary.

Proving this trend’s staying power, Kate Bosworth wore a ballet slipper pink Oscar de la Renta number with sequined, ruby-colored leaves cascading down from the neckline.

Dakota Johnson glowed in a peony and foxglove Gucci number fit for frolicking down the red carpet.

Interpret this trend as a license to break rules. Wear white past Labor Day. Sport a bright red dress on a snowy eve. And pack the punch with spunky florals and strut past naked, leafless trees with a smile on your face.

As Coco Chanel famously quipped, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” It is in search of Coco Chanel-esque minimalism that this trend derives its inspiration. It’s a battle against the mundane, a war waged against the obvious. Deconstruction is about saying the most with the least, suggesting shapes and meanings through undone, ripped, or barely-there fabrics.

Maison Margiela does deconstruction with an elegant toughness that is both provocative and challenging for the viewer. These looks – in caramel and cereal browns – remind us that fashion is not always easy: there is a lot to consider, from economics to sustainability. Deconstruction encourages viewers to take away the excess, look beyond the complications, and face the heart of the issue or the artwork: the essence. 

Ruth Negga knows how to turn a deconstructed dress into an elegant statement. Her Louis Vuitton LBD featured a streamlined silhouette interrupted by black strips of fabric along the sleeves. 

Elle Fanning’s Versace dress assembled a collage of saturated, poppy Andy Warhol-esque Marilyn Monroe heads, a perfect example of the artistic integrity of the trend.

Channel your inner Chanel by challenging your wardrobe to the task of deconstruction. Look for slim silhouettes, paired down prints, and disrupted designs. Achieve this look on the ballroom through an unexpected neckline, an asymmetrical hemline, or an angular rosette.