Autumn/winter 2011: surface riot
In a season of abundant fashion trends, Handbag selects the five that matter most right now.
2011-03-18 09:30:00
By Emily Fleuriot
Clashing colour, texture and print
Complementing the season’s ultra-colourful palette, autumn/winter 2011 is clash of contrasting, often layered print and texture. From the sumptuously structured, Fabergé-inspired Mary Katrantzou to the chic bricolage of Michael Van Der Ham and the eclectic eccentricity of Louise Gray, the more the pattern clashed, the better.
From polka to dalmation, this season also saw spots have a fashion moment, from the exaggerated pixel points of Marc Jacobs, David Koma and Stella McCartney, to the Disney-fied fun-fur at Topshop Unique.
Trompe l’oeil fabrics, such as Christopher Kane’s crochet print on silk, joined a play on unexpected pairing of fabrics, with silk pleat skirts coupled with fishermen jumpers, and heavy crochet and tribalistic wool reworked into capes and cardigans to be worn over fly-away evening gowns.
Nowhere is the rule the ‘anything goes’ more apparent than in this season’s riotous celebration of pattern, texture and fabric.
Our tip: this summer’s bold stripes and florals are good preparation for autumn’s clashing pattern and texture.
Sumptuous layering at Christian Dior, Paris Fashion Week.
See all Handbag's fashion week coverage.
