Remixed Romance – By Becky Lyon

 

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 From Balenciaga’s s/s collection dubbed ‘Baroccoco’ with ornate ruffled collars and brocade fabrics, autumn/winter has certainly established a love for costume drama. Unashamedly feminine, romantic and escapist, the costume drama trend is the perfect way to indulge in a bit of fantasy! Dolce and Gabbana sent post-baroque Jane Austen heroines down the catwalk in all its empire line and ruffles glory whist Chanel presented French revolutionary, swashbuckling style in grand frock coats and leather boots.

 

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 This is definitely a trend for your style notebook. Fast-forward to spring/summer ’07 and the shows were inundated with a plethora of historical, romantic references as designers embrace ‘retro’ on a whole new level! There is a bit of a gothic feel following through from autumn/winter- something a bit more mysterious and darkly poetic about the spring ‘costume drama’ story. History gets remixed with a contemporary punky edge and fused with countless historical ideas.

 

 

 

 You only have to look at the Gardem collection; raw edges, hanging shreds of fabric, corset print blouses worn with leggings and a dash of unconventional spring black provides a familiar but fresh punkish vibe. In addition, McQueen produced a bright spring time beauty with hand painted fabrics, ostentatiously oversized taffeta hats, extraordinary exaggerated sculpted hips and dresses made from fresh flowers, offering a stunning theatrical vision of 18^th century fantasy.

 

 

         

 

 

 In keeping with the fantasy line is Elle4Lisa, an off-schedule brand who presented their ‘Montagues & Capulets’ story during London Fashion Week in ethereal, other worldly couture creations inspired by a love for legendary extravagant icons like Madame Pompadour. And if the remixed romance story couldn’t get more eclectic, just take a peek at the latest Fashion Fringe winner, Gavin Douglas’s offering. His voluminous bustle skirts, corset tops and brocade worked with a ‘street’ edge as the designer strives for ‘urban beats fused with ethnic diversity’.

 

 

 

 

 

 If this all sounds a bit mind blowing and /or confusing to you, the key ingredients to look out for are as thus; volume, ruffles, delicate or satin fabrics, ornate prints and provocative black. Whilst you’ve got the chance, live your fantasy as a period drama princess….

 

 

 

By Becky Lyon becky.lyon@hotmail.co.uk