High-wrist season

From an observer’s point of view, despite turbulent times, the world of style continues to thrive and even take innovation to a higher level as most evident in the creative output we see season after season on the runways. Indeed, socio-economics plays an integral role in the direction of every industry. When it comes to matters of style, aesthetic and expression play an equally significant role.

With the current financial crisis, one cannot help but wonder how this will affect what fashion will offer next. We are, of course, expecting greater emphasis for all that is minimal, severe and restrained as portrayed by the last season. But fashion is about constant change and the challenge remains: how does one instigate innovation in a time that will disagree with anything Marie Antoinette-esque?

This season, we are yet again impressed by the brilliant direction that has been taken by such fashion geniuses as Junya Watanabe and Marc Jacobs as they manage to stir in elements of fancy through earthy and more socially relevant design aesthetics that we now refer to as the tribal or African trend.

At the Spring/Summer 2009 collection launches of Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten and Marc Jacobs for example, a maximalist (read: more is more) aesthetic was played up to create a festive and celebratory vibe. This, most notably, set the right contrast to a present situation that is rather gloomy. With tribal or, more specifically, African influences taking over the most definitive pieces of the season, the rich textures of cultures characterized by contrasts certainly breathe a new sensibility to the future of fashion.

Layers, first and foremost, comprise what is referred to as tribal dressing. This look is best achieved by merging contrasting yet highly intricate details such as hand block prints in the most blinding hues of yellow, blue, orange or green. But what fully defines the trend is the constant presence of stacked bangles in varied sizes, materials and embellishments.

At Hermes, for example, a hypnotic myriad of ceramic bangles inspired by India creates high imagery. When piled on, these exquisite pieces immediately update even the most basic of ensembles. Similarly at the Burberry Prorsum, outsized cuffs are catching many a fashion ally’s fancy with its exceptional merging of superior leather and hardware, resulting in a piece that is highly contemporary. Utterly modern pieces may be worn on its own or for added visual impact, be stacked with more earthy bangles such as the floral embellished pieces by Marc Jacobs. For individuals who still hold a certain level of hesitation over a trend that encourages a daring play of mix and match (or better yet, a stylish mismatch), stacking up solid blocked bangles — in either resin, leather or acetate — gives a perfect balance to pieces that are embedded with prints and patterns.

Just like the current six-digit It bag or the most striking pair of statement footwear donned by fashion icons the world over, bangles are one of the biggest accessories to hit the runways for Spring/Summer 2009. These highly versatile pieces, in fact, now constitute a category that was once exclusive to fine jewelry, designer bags and shoes as renowned designers like Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen and Sergio Rossi, to name a few, are taking queue and piling it all on.