WELL, some part of the economy must be recovering because it is all about excess and opulence when it comes to accessories for the Fall/Winter fashion season.
While the clothes move towards minimalism, femininity and wearability, it seems the accessories are all out to make a statement and scream “look at me!”
We’re talking about fur-trimmed booties, detailed shoes and bags and lots of exotic animal skin. Check out YSL’s fur-trimmed heels for a not-so-subtle show of luxury. Dior and Chanel both went for fur in a big way, too, with Dior’s fur and lambskin Libertine hobo bag and Chanel’s fur and tweed combo being the standouts. What about a completely furred Neely bag from Mulberry? Luxury, indeed!
Exotic skin makes its presence felt every Fall/Winter, and this season is no exception. Marc Jacobs does the Veronica bag in yellow alligator while Emilio Pucci goes fire-engine red with a strappy ankle bootie. Just Cavalli presents a fun version in their animal print bootie. For a complete statement piece, check out Tod’s bag in grey alligator.
There is also a return to simpler times, with classic and vintage-shaped bags coming back in trend. How about a rummage through your grandmother’s bag collection? But these reincarnations are by no means dowdy; the classics are done in creamy leather and have such fine detailing that even the most hard core fashion junkies would be proud to carry them.
Louis Vuitton reworked its classic 1930s Speedy with a new flap and top handle and presents it almost as a doctor’s bag albeit an uber trendy one. This savvy redo sees the classic shapes interpreted in a variety of material (sequined, furred or exoticised in crocodile).
Check out Mulberry’s understated elegance as it works with red leather and an old-school shape, while Celine’s interpretation makes vintage cool again.
Tod’s does a beautiful pair of classic booties, while Celine’s heeled boots are set to become a coveted item of the season. Ferragamo sent its models down the runway with classic shoulder strapped bags, while Marc by Marc Jacobs, the king of retro cool, offered various vintage interpretations with long shoulder straps. At Versace, it was classic meets metallic, and the result is utter flash.
As tailored outfits and suits make a comeback on the runway, so does a pair of tailored pants’ best companion, the bootie. There are many versions, from those with gladiator-like straps from Versace as well as extravagantly fur-trimmed from Emilio Pucci to a multi-buckle version from Dior and a two-toned Oxford from Ferragamo.
The designers are also loving thigh-high boots, with models strutting down the runways of Dior and Burberry Prorsum in this limb-hugging footwear. The look is modern, sleek and sexy, with buttery leather moulded to the legs, paired with beautiful coats and dresses. Perhaps not for a local jaunt, but if you’re travelling, by all means indulge.
It seems there are no rules when it comes to accessories this season. Designers worked both ends of the spectrum, understated and over the top, with equal passion. In all things fashion, it boils down to personal style. Have a look at how each collection is carefully curated and pluck from it a choice fruit that is closest to your style. We present the menu, you choose the main course.
>> Get seen with these statement accessories
