Black for summer? Believe it

MANILA, Philippines - We caught some fashion shows in Europe for this season and we gathered some stylish trends for a cool, cool summer.

Not-So-Little Black Dress

It’s been said by Karl Lagerfeld himself that some of the brand’s icons seem like they’ve been part of the Chanel DNA all along. Part of his job as designer of the brand involves creating new things that seem, well, “very Chanel.” One little black dress, for this season’s collection, has become the long black dress, high at the waist, fitting the figure, with a poufy and larger upper body line. Its shape contains little of what we know of both the brand’s heritage and of the little black dress — yet seems like it was there all along. Just another reason to love Chanel.

The Hole Thing

There is a reason that handbags aren’t usually see-through: they often contain personal items and their contents reveal much about the wearer. This season’s trend allows a compromise between fashion and function: the perforated item. In bags and dresses, it’s a tony trend for the season.

Stripe Tease

It began in New York then went to Milan and Paris: the stripe. This season, we see them on some of our favorite brands’ clothing and footwear. The simple print — according to the author of Devils Cloth: A History of Stripes, published several years ago and written by Michel Pastoureau — was associated with the devil in the Middle Ages, and meant freedom after the French and American revolutions.

Day-to-Night Jewelry

“Imagination has no limits. I always aspire to make women look beautiful,” says Elie Saab. Having been in the fashion business for over two decades, first launching in Beirut and then later moving his house to Paris, Saab remains in the limelight for his beautifully beaded dresses. “When I began my career, I knew where I was headed. I had an ambition to launch the brand worldwide and I aimed for success,” says Saab. The brand’s jewelry is as timeless and alluring as his dresses, and easily matched with both smart daywear or one of the brand’s feminine styles for evening.