Ethnic-inspired Swatch fashion
Fashion is globetrotting.
Fashion now travels the world to pick up inspiration from far-off lands. Ethnic-inspired prints have spiced up the season. Deriving ideas and taking references from different cultures is all the rage this season. Ethnical diversity is the new cool.
The season’s fashion is prints-happy.
Get inspired. Be wild and original. Take a pick from the many interpretations of traditional patterns made new. Keep an eye out for the ethnic print highlights of the season.
Handcrafted traditions, Japanese blooms, Geisha expressions, the far eastern spirit, bold playful traditional imagery, Navajo patterns, Maasai-inspired prints, Indochina references, Ikat experimentations, ethnic mixes, photo-real prints, pattern mash-ups, vintage pattern references, and bold graphic prints are the hot image expressions for summer.
The decorative visuals appeared in a myriad of vibrant colors of pinks, reds, yellows, greens, blues, and oranges. The hottest prints also splashed in neon colors, tie-dyes, and monochromes.
This season, ethnic and tribal patterns take center stage. It no longer solely belongs to boho style. A vast variety of exotic patterns and ideas from all over the world rule the runways.
Ethnic-inspired visual effects were visible at the womenswear collections of Bottega Veneta, Aquilano, Rimondi, Fendi, Matthew Williamson, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Peter Pilotto, Dolce & Gabbana, Marchesa, Akris, Etro, Marni, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Rodarte, Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten, Mary Katrantzou, Emilio Pucci, Rick Owens, Hermès, DVF, Band of Outsiders, Missoni, Miu Miu, Oscar dela Renta, Rochas, Prada, Isabel Marant, Chloé, Giambattista Valli, J. Mendel, Paul Smith, Prabal Gurung, Giles, Phillip Lim, Just Cavalli, Proenza Schouler, Alice Temperley, Emporio Armani, Preen, YSL and Valentino.
The menswear collections were no different. Etro, Yohji Yamamoto, Zegna, Paul & Joe, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Missoni, Ralph Lauren, Salvator Ferragamo, Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, Ann Demeulemeester, Paul Smith, Canali, Diesel Black Gold, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Issey Miyake, Band of Brothers, Iceberg, Kenzo, Hermès, Marc Jacobs and Neil Barrett featured the print influence.
The decorative prints not only made their mark on the season’s clothing but also in accessories. Modern folk prints, abstract interpretations, ornate traditional patterns, oversized versions, and unexpected motifs defined the new bags, shoes, belts, necklaces, bracelets and watches of the season.
Not ready to go all-the-way print? Enjoy this latest graphic detail with accessories. Start with a Swatch watch and take a pick from its latest ethnic-inspired collection. Update your look with fun ethnic mixes. Pair a decorative Swatch with bold summer colors or earthy tones. On the other hand, play with prints and wear a Swatch with a plain strap.
Have fun with summer’s different ethnicities from all over the world — from Native Americans, Southeast Asia, China to Japan, India and Africa. This kaleidoscope of patterns will definitely make you happy and summer-ready.
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E-mail Joyce Oreña at jo@joyceorena.com or follow her on Twitter @joyceorena.
