In every season there are top collections, that dictates trends in street style. What is the key for success? There’s none. Forecasting trends is a bit like a russian roulette, you have to look at the culture, technology, events and overall interests of the society to maintain a view of what would be the most desirable thing in the next season or which events would matter the most. In the spring of 2016 the most important trends were concerning technology, futuristic motives, robots and so on. It was because of the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition in New York hosted by American Vogue and Anna Wintour – „Manus x Machina. Fashion in the Age of Technology”. One of the top designers who did the best research and create a collection inspired by futuristic motives was Nicolas Ghesquiere at Louis Vuitton. Who are the winners of the 2016 fall season?
Gucci Dream
phot.| Gucci Campaign FW 2016|gucci.com
Well, the first winner is Gucci. I know it’s not the biggest surprise, because Alessandro Michele’s projects are on trend for the few seasons now. Nevertheless he won again. Gucci with the creative mind of Michele (the one that replaced Frida Giannini) brought fashion the old and good retro vibe again. Do you remember the previous Gucci Girl? She was a sexy cougar – style that was invented by Tom Ford in the 90 -ties (when he was creative director at Gucci) and then continued by Giannini.
phot.|Gucci Pre-Fall 2016 Campaign|gucci.com
As the retro trend has been popularized for a few seasons now, we can say that in the fall of 2016, dressing retro from head to toe is passe. If you want to be stylish in this season you need to pick up some vintage good accessories, like loafers, bags, belts or sunglasses. Of course, everything with a Gucci Logo.
phot.| Gucci Accessories|gucci.com
Edgy Vetements Girl
But Michele is not the only one who can win the race. In the fashion industry we can see the rise of another star from faraway country. Precisely Georgia in Eastern Europe. Demna Gvasalia, the young god of fashion, is responsible for the rise of Vetements – the french collective that overtake the street style. Hoodies, oversized clothes, velvet, patent leather – he’s the man behind all of this madness.
phot.|Street Style|manrepeller.com
The Vetements Girl is edgy, hooligan with no fashion rules. She takes from her wardrobe whatever she wants and mix all the pieces together. She can go out in velvet skirt and hoodie or tracksuit and heels. But most importantly she is true and rebellious. She doesn’t pretend to be anyone else. And that’s why we love Gvasalia. For being honest.
phot. | Vetements FW 2016|vogue.com
The New\Old Balenciaga
phot.|Balenciaga Campaign FW 2016|balenciaga.com
As I mentioned before Gvasalia is not only the father of Vetements but also Balenciaga. The fashion house recently has been dumped by Alexander Wang who couldn’t keep up with designing for both his and French brand. Gvasalia changed the style of the house but doesn’t deprived it from its essential taste – the shoulder. If you know the original Cristobal Balenciaga projects and sketches you will remember that he was mostly concern about women arms. It’s amazing how Gvasalia underlined those motives on the runway. Well done!
phot.|Balenciaga FW 2016|vogue.com
What is his biggest achievements at Balenciaga so far? An oversized, quilted jacket that is copied by every high street store right now. No kidding, you will find them in Zara, Mango, H&M or Bershka. That’s a total blast! Bow down.
phot.| Editorial in The Edit|net-a-porter.com
See ya!
A.