Tobey Maguire

style |
AGEOF
Traditionally, fashion has served as a great mirror of society’s
mood. So when New York Fashion Week was aborted
last September 11, designers, editors and retailers were left
wondering what effects all the gloom and uncertainty would have
on fashion’s future.
But fashion is too big a business to stop for long. And since all
the spring collections had been conceptualized prior to the
attack, the clothes that came down international runways for
spring tenaciously held on to themes of innocence and romance.
Besides, the heavy-duty doses of soft femininity and blatant
escapism offered a welcome bit of relief, and a much-needed
sense of optimism.
Who can resist the “bohemian chic” look? It’s a smorgasbord of
“flower child” nostalgia — an eclectic mix of hip flea market finds
and ethnic accessories, a melange of Morocco meets San
Francisco, complete with peasant blouses and ruffled skirts. It’s a
sensibility that puts the poetry back in fashion, and whisks us back
to Woodstock.
Then there’s earthy, rock star flash — with enough fringes to
make Roger Daltry want to come back. Evidently, Almost Famous had
a big impact on this spring’s look and mood. And while there may
be a feeling of “been there, done that” for those of us who survived
the ’60s and ’70s, we can still groove on the nostalgia, and take
delight in seeing a whole new generation turning on to the spirit of
freedom and funk.
Pajama dressing makes cozy sense, too, at a time when we crave
comfort. Gucci and Armani are offering baggy, drawstring pants,
while Prada suggests PJ-style tops with piping and retro prints.
And Louis Vuitton takes the nightie to new heights, with flowing
negligee gowns. Overall, the look is relaxed with a stay-at-home
feel, even if you’re not going to.
In terms of colour, white is the new black. It’s a pure and pristine
look that has spiritual, New Age connotations — again, an
idealistic outlook. But, at the same time, animal prints continue to
make big news, with hues like crimson, lemon yellow and sunset
orange helping to heat things up for the sunny months ahead.
Valentino
does ruffles
and fringe
innocence
Fashion columnist
Jeanne Beker says
cozy, nostalgic and
feminine are the key
trends for spring
famous 24 | april 2002
And let’s not forget the exoticism. The old Out of Africa theme is
alive and well, with safari suits courtesy of Tom Ford for YSL,
Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta.
Jeanne Beker is host and segment producer of Fashion Television and
the Fashion Television Channel, author of Jeanne Unbottled: Adventures
in High Style, and style editor of the “JeanneBeker” clothing collection.