Runway trend focus: Botanical brilliance
Great flowers start with pollination, and for that you need bees. Luxury label Burberry started off the revival, creating the buzz with its SS15 Ready to Wear collection which paid tribute to the insects and flowers of Britain. Coincidentally, at Paris Haute Couture week, flowers and florals were in full bloom.
This past week, we learned that Chanel Director Karl Lagerfeld isn't the only designer with green fingers! Chanel's Spring flowering fashion featured gentle, curved silhouettes embellished with floral garlands, lush petals and beaded pistils. A color palette of pinks, oranges, reds, electric blue, pollen yellow and sap green brought extra cheer to this upbeat collection.
There was no stopping Dutch design tandem Viktor&Rolf who pushed the flower trend to the limits. Bold 3D floral appliqué, graphic petal prints and abundant bouquet-esque babydoll dresses drew inspiration from flower-loving artist Van Gogh.
At the Alexis Mabille show, models wore sexy tattoo-inspired dresses with strategically placed creeping flower motifs that intertwined the body.
Elie Saab offered guests flowers in a heart-felt tribute to his mother -- a belle of Beirut whose tulip-print skirts remain engraved in his most cherished childhood memories. Featuring fewer glimmering adornments than in past seasons, the Spring collection included gowns embellished with tulip motifs in different forms and various techniques: intricate embroidery, delicate tulle and organza appliqués.
Saab's iconic Spring silhouettes are sure to grace many a red carpet. With this floral composition of delicate pastel-hued gowns, the Lebanese couturier to the stars proved once again that he never stops dreaming or making us dream.
Like Saab, British contingent Ralph & Russo presented a spectacular flower festooned vision for Spring. Full-skirted cocktail dresses reminiscent of 1950s Dior were given a sprinkling of 3D petals and sequined vine and floral motifs. Traditional thread and geometric pearl embroidery intertwined with metallic resin, gleaming like dew, created a meticulously fine finish.
