104 FASHION
Black Mena Striped Dress £110
Monsoon’s bohemian style is reflected
in a striking and ultra-feminine collection this season and tells a story that travels through cultures and continents, whilst drawing from its legacy of colour, texture and print. For Spring/Summer 2009, Daywear is relaxed, yet vibrant and opens with - Asian Safari, where African influences are merged with textiles from Japan. A cool palette of indigo and tonal blues is spiced up with sienna and berry to give an ethnic feel to colour-block shift-dresses and ombre-striped knitwear. An eclectic mix of world-wide statements inspire World Traveller, a collection to bring out the innerhippy in us all. Bringing together an overspill of textiles from the Indian desserts of Rajasthan, to the foothills of Guatemala and Eastern Europe, statement pieces feature Indian wood-block prints and eastern European paisleys. Desert orange and Dijon are highlighted with hot pink for a lush, richly infused colour palette.
Inspiration from modern Japan is evident in Tokyo and Lotus, collections of Eastern-infused dressing. A touch of the Orient is present in these silhouettes with Origami style folding that adds structural interest. Japanese-style prints and embroidery give texture in a delicately feminine, ornate way with silky-touch fabrics and delicate printed sheers for an added luxurious feel. Chinese orange and reds are the new brights, while oriental blues and jades help ground the vibrancy. Highlights of Summer yellow and grassy green allow a multi-coloured story on kimono sleeve tops and placement print maxi dresses. Lotus offers pleats, ruffles and cutwork details in soft cottons that are clean and unfussy, whilst metallic touches in both fabric and embellishment, give understated glimmer. The tropical islands of French Polynesia influence the South Pacific high-summer daywear look. Sultry brights combine with statement botanical prints to create a kaleidoscope of bold colour and pattern. Simple modern silhouettes carry delicate placement appliqué designs and multi-technique embroideries on a collection of, must-have, pretty summer wardrobe essentials.