Issue 52 / Spring/Summer 2016 Trend Report: Bohemian Florals, The 90s and Boudoir All Rule The Runway

by Tessa Johnson

Spring/Summer 2016 Trend Report: Bohemian Florals, The 90s and Boudoir All Rule The Runway

May 30, 2016

We cover three of the strongest trends with influence to be game changers this season.

History has a way of repeating itself and it’s amazing when it’s seen on the runways. Florals were interpreted in three different ways. On the runway in Paris, a 17^th century romance was in the air for Alexander McQueen. Then over in Milan, Gucci was the '70s vintage queen with a mish-mash of nerdy and quirky chic. And Veronica Etro left us swooning with her bohemian ballerina collection.

A Floral Affair

Inspired by the Victorian era, Sarah Burton, creative director for Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection, had models with tousled hair walk the runway with flesh tone chiffon frocks wrapped in a sea of roses. The garment construction was impeccable with well-placed draping and innovating with repurposed military jackets with floral embroidered denim.

^{Paris Fashion Week, Alexander McQueen, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.Vogue.com}

^{Paris Fashion Week, Alexander McQueen, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

Alessandro Michele for Gucci SS16 carried over its nerdy chic theme from last season. What’s wildly mesmerizing about this collection is how brilliantly chaotic it looked, reminiscent of the '70s but modern in styling. There were perfect pairings of dainty accessories with sheer floral blouses and satin pleated skirts. While floral patterned button-down dresses were at a modest length and looked rich in tones of ebony, green and red.

^{Milan Fashion Week, Gucci, Spring/SummerCollection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

^{Milan Fashion Week, Gucci, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

Layered hemlines with flutter sleeves and 19^th century floral printed textiles were just a few key highlights from Etro’s SS16 collection. The dresses had a sense of lightness to them with ribbon and lace finishes. Sleeves fluttered with ruched detailing. And the colour palette flowed as her collection started off in pale tones then finished in moodier hues.

^{Milan Fashion Week, Etro, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

The Nouveau '90s

Former Maison Margiela designer Demna Gvasalia has upped the ante on street style with Vetements '90s inspired SS16 collection. New York based designers David Neville and Marcus Wainwright rechanneled their youth in the '90s with athleisure influences for their Rag & Bone SS16 collection. And Donatella Versace stepped out of her comfort zone to create a sportswear collection that added glamour and a whole new level of sexy.

The '90s redux came out swinging as head designer Gvasalia showed true grit in his collection with reworked sweatshirts with oversized sleeves and deconstructed shirts and leather garments.

^{Paris Fashion Week, Vetements, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

Sleek and sporty basics was the vibe at the Rag & Bone SS16 runway show. The utilitarian collection had oversized parkas and bombers that paired well with body-hugging knit dresses and pants. And let's not forget the hoop earrings and high tops!

^{New York Fashion Week, Rag & Bone, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

^{Milan Fashion Week, Etro, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

It could've been the models but I'm going to put my bet on Versace’s SS16 designs that made it so sultry and empowering. The blazers and vests were military inspired and razor sharp in tailoring. It all paired well with the signature chunky Versace logo’d belts and thigh high booty shorts. Donatella's jungle camouflage printed garments popped on the runway and was a favourite with fashion’s elite.

^{Milan Fashion Week, Versace, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

Boudoir

Riccardo Tisci's Givenchy SS16 collection stuns on the runway, pairing lingerie with ready to wear. While CEO and creative director Christopher Bailey for Burberry Prorsum takes an unconventional twist for the iconic brand.

A satin white camisole with lace detail was a perfectly paired with satin trimmed tuxedo trousers for Givenchy’s SS16 collection. While a black lace cami and satin pajama ensemble had you wondering, could I pull this off? However, the shoulder barring champagne-coloured slip dress stole the show.

^{New York Fashion Week, Givenchy, Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

It’s where tradition meets edge but works. For Burberry Prorsum SS16 collection, the fashion brand's classic staple trenches were worn over lace frocks that left little to the imagination a la Fifty Shades of Grey-esque.

^{London Fashion Week, Burberry Prorsum,Spring/Summer Collection 2016}
^{Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

^{Main Photo Credit: www.vogue.com}

Tessa Johnson

Author

Tessa (@tessajstyle) holds a diploma in Fashion Business Management from George Brown College and has Fashion Coordination and Styling certification from Ryerson University. She has been ANOKHI Magazine’s Fashion Editor for the last four years covering the runways from Toronto to India. Her love...