Autumn/winter 2011: new power woman
In a season of abundant fashion trends, Handbag selects the five that matter most right now.
2011-03-17 12:03:00
By Emily Fleuriot
I am woman, hear me roar!
Moving away from the ubiquitous, ultra-feminine ‘Mad Men’ hourglass figure, this season’s power woman is closer to nature, and more ‘thrown-together’. From body-skimming 1930s-feel gowns, to girlish, short-waisted dresses, to sculptural, exaggerated forms, autumn/winter 2011 felt triumphantly feminine, mussed and ‘undone’.
If the grrl power ‘80s was referenced here, it was without being derivative, instead reflecting the attitude of the time – a juxtaposition of power-dressing and hard curves against the decade’s backlash against passive sexiness. This ranged from loose but still womanly silhouette, such as at Rodarte, to the hard-edged, fetish-inspired suits, seen at Gareth Pugh.
While inspiration ranged from rock chick Patty Smith, to ‘40s war brides, to the goddesses and the ultimate royal, Elizabeth I, there was one muse all designers agreed on – the powerful, liberated woman. In these straitened times, with economic cut-backs inarguably hitting women hardest, it was a season which showed us how to dress for success.
Our tip: floaty summer dresses or sweeping pleated skirts will harden up with cable knits come autumn.
A Smoking Kate Moss works the Lanvin power silhouette, Paris Fashion Week.
See all Handbag's fashion week coverage.
