Eco-friendly, nature-inspired, earth-loving. Nowadays, it seems, recycling and respecting the environment have become more of a trend than a conscious (and conscientious) choice of living one’s life.
The celebrities are doing it big time. And if Kate Moss can influence your decision to wear patent leather leggings, why can’t Leonardo Di Caprio be just as convincing with us when he insists that driving an electrical car is the best way to cruise around Los Angeles?
Designers are always on the prowl for news-worthy information. Most of the time it’s because wars, catastrophes, social dictates, political tirades and the like are what they base their next collection around.
This Spring and Summer, following my fellow Europeans’ lead, perhaps going nude on a US beach won’t land you in jail for indecent exposure.
Sarcasm apart, nature should be your fashion consultant when you pack your bags for vacation.
Neutral hues, from white to brown and all the shades in between, dominate the runways. Interest is added through the use of texture (as seen, for example, on the numerous, very waspy, straw hats) and details in cut, such as in the very interesting one-piece, cut-out bathing suit by Diesel (yes, Diesel!).
All withstanding, not to say that color and patterns are absent from the postcard I am sending from the warm season 2008. As a matter of fact, my research indicated that while most Italian designers preferred to remain subdued and natural, many many others in Europe and North America painted a brighter picture, so to speak. Even Chanel used bright blues for her collections this Summer. Blue, green, yellow and red were used very generously on the runways, encompassing even sunglasses frames.
Perhaps it’s because I am from Italy, but my preference is with the neutrals.
Italians might not be poster children for civic sense and respect for the environment, but we do know one thing or two about style (and love.)
Wish you were here.
