The disruption that shook the fashion world in 2016, from designer
departures to the hubbub around see-now-buy-now fashion, is likely to
continue into 2017, with brands questioning how to make fashion stick in
an ever-increasing digital age. Even amid the confusion and chaos,
though, there are constants we can count on, like the people who will
dictate the trends of the year to the trends that are likely to dominate
fashion on and off the runway. Familiarize yourself with the whos and
whats that are sure to rule 2017, below.
departures to the hubbub around see-now-buy-now fashion, is likely to
continue into 2017, with brands questioning how to make fashion stick in
an ever-increasing digital age. Even amid the confusion and chaos,
though, there are constants we can count on, like the people who will
dictate the trends of the year to the trends that are likely to dominate
fashion on and off the runway. Familiarize yourself with the whos and
whats that are sure to rule 2017, below.
Raf Simons is the new Calvin Klein.
The fashion world’s favorite rumor proved true in August when
it was confirmed that Raf Simons would be the new head honcho at Calvin
Klein. The Belgian’s arrival stateside cements a new chapter in American
fashion, with brands like Marc Jacobs, Coach 1941, Proenza Schouler,
and presumably Calvin under Simons adopting the spectacle,
craftsmanship, and drama associated with European fashion. What’s more
is that Simons’s own aesthetics line up well with those of Calvin
Klein—always on the hunt for the throbbing heartbeat of youth culture,
be it in music, art, or beauty. In short, Simons’s appointment at Calvin
Klein is one of fashion’s best matches—and something worth looking
forward to in 2017.
The fashion world’s favorite rumor proved true in August when
it was confirmed that Raf Simons would be the new head honcho at Calvin
Klein. The Belgian’s arrival stateside cements a new chapter in American
fashion, with brands like Marc Jacobs, Coach 1941, Proenza Schouler,
and presumably Calvin under Simons adopting the spectacle,
craftsmanship, and drama associated with European fashion. What’s more
is that Simons’s own aesthetics line up well with those of Calvin
Klein—always on the hunt for the throbbing heartbeat of youth culture,
be it in music, art, or beauty. In short, Simons’s appointment at Calvin
Klein is one of fashion’s best matches—and something worth looking
forward to in 2017.
Athluxury is the new athleisure.
If the word athleisure makes you grimace, fret not.
The omnipresent black legging and midi sport top may well be on their
way out, at least if Tory Burch has a say. The designer’s collection of
elegant, country club–ready athletic apparel, Tory Sport, took athletic
clothing and elevated it to a level worthy of the “Burchgeoisie,” as a
friend calls Tory and her clan of well-clad fans and followers. Where
Burch has prodded, other designers have followed, too: See A.P.C.’s chic
workout wear with Outdoor Voices and Tim Coppens’s downtown cool
collections for Under Armour.
If the word athleisure makes you grimace, fret not.
The omnipresent black legging and midi sport top may well be on their
way out, at least if Tory Burch has a say. The designer’s collection of
elegant, country club–ready athletic apparel, Tory Sport, took athletic
clothing and elevated it to a level worthy of the “Burchgeoisie,” as a
friend calls Tory and her clan of well-clad fans and followers. Where
Burch has prodded, other designers have followed, too: See A.P.C.’s chic
workout wear with Outdoor Voices and Tim Coppens’s downtown cool
collections for Under Armour.
Pink is the new camel.
In 2016, monochromatic dressing really took off, with
celebrities and designers endorsing head-to-toe color in droves. The
most popular shade, for people such as Kim Kardashian West and brands
like Hermès, was a rich hue of camel. Next year is bidding that
restrained color adieu in favor of lovely, shocking, and joyous shades
of pink. Valentino, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Céline, Givenchy, Bottega
Veneta, and more sent out numbers in all types of rose, making it the
color to beat in 2017.
In 2016, monochromatic dressing really took off, with
celebrities and designers endorsing head-to-toe color in droves. The
most popular shade, for people such as Kim Kardashian West and brands
like Hermès, was a rich hue of camel. Next year is bidding that
restrained color adieu in favor of lovely, shocking, and joyous shades
of pink. Valentino, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Céline, Givenchy, Bottega
Veneta, and more sent out numbers in all types of rose, making it the
color to beat in 2017.
Platforms are the new Stan Smiths.
For a while there, it seemed that the Stan Smith would never be
unseated as fashion’s footwear of choice. Well, that time might have
come. Designers proposed teetering platform shoes, like Balenciaga’s
square-toed stompers and Maison Margiela’s lifted loafers, leaving us
clamoring for new heights. Just be careful walking on cobblestones, and
running between fashion shows, for that matter.
For a while there, it seemed that the Stan Smith would never be
unseated as fashion’s footwear of choice. Well, that time might have
come. Designers proposed teetering platform shoes, like Balenciaga’s
square-toed stompers and Maison Margiela’s lifted loafers, leaving us
clamoring for new heights. Just be careful walking on cobblestones, and
running between fashion shows, for that matter.
Khakis are the new jeans.
The designer denim resurgence of the 2010s might have met its
match in the workwear-inspired khakis that were all over the Spring 2017
runways. Alexander Wang gave the pants a slouchy feel worthy of his
surfer babes, the Kenzo duo looked to high-waisted and structured ’00s
styles, and Rag & Bone’s Marcus Wainwright made his preppy and
slightly sheer. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a pair of classic
workwear Dickies or Carhartts. However you take your trousers, the moral
is: The more beige the better.
The designer denim resurgence of the 2010s might have met its
match in the workwear-inspired khakis that were all over the Spring 2017
runways. Alexander Wang gave the pants a slouchy feel worthy of his
surfer babes, the Kenzo duo looked to high-waisted and structured ’00s
styles, and Rag & Bone’s Marcus Wainwright made his preppy and
slightly sheer. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a pair of classic
workwear Dickies or Carhartts. However you take your trousers, the moral
is: The more beige the better.
Phone cases are the new It bags . . . but if you must spring for a purse, make it a novelty bag.
In today’s world, you don’t need much more than your iPhone
when you leave the house—and designers have taken note. For seasons,
Jeremy Scott has been producing kitschy cases at Moschino, and for
Spring 2017 Nicolas Ghesquière replaced Louis Vuitton’s covetable bags
with an even more-so phone case in monogrammed leather. Should you want
to bring more than just your phone when you go out, the bag to reach for
is not the black leather bucket, but rather a wild, kooky, and fun
novelty bag like Balenciaga’s striped shopper or Fendi’s mini,
fur-trimmed number.
In today’s world, you don’t need much more than your iPhone
when you leave the house—and designers have taken note. For seasons,
Jeremy Scott has been producing kitschy cases at Moschino, and for
Spring 2017 Nicolas Ghesquière replaced Louis Vuitton’s covetable bags
with an even more-so phone case in monogrammed leather. Should you want
to bring more than just your phone when you go out, the bag to reach for
is not the black leather bucket, but rather a wild, kooky, and fun
novelty bag like Balenciaga’s striped shopper or Fendi’s mini,
fur-trimmed number.
Slogans are the new logos.
Logo mania took 2016 fashion by storm, but for 2017, brands are
focused less on themselves and more on getting a message of
togetherness across. Michael Kors intarsia-ed a sweater with the word love, Haider Ackermann went with be your own hero on tees, and Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri chose Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s phrase we should all be feminists. Hear hear!
Logo mania took 2016 fashion by storm, but for 2017, brands are
focused less on themselves and more on getting a message of
togetherness across. Michael Kors intarsia-ed a sweater with the word love, Haider Ackermann went with be your own hero on tees, and Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri chose Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s phrase we should all be feminists. Hear hear!
Crocs are the new Birkenstocks.
We’ll see if this one catches on, but if Christopher Kane has
his way, the fashion set will be replacing their sensible Birkenstocks
with even more sensible Crocs. The superlight shoes were the star of
Kane’s Spring 2017 show; the designer wowed his crowd with his
willingness to partner with a brand considered so outside the world of
high fashion. Even if you won’t be wearing the kicks, you have to
commend Kane on his audacity to upend expectations again and again.
We’ll see if this one catches on, but if Christopher Kane has
his way, the fashion set will be replacing their sensible Birkenstocks
with even more sensible Crocs. The superlight shoes were the star of
Kane’s Spring 2017 show; the designer wowed his crowd with his
willingness to partner with a brand considered so outside the world of
high fashion. Even if you won’t be wearing the kicks, you have to
commend Kane on his audacity to upend expectations again and again.
Statement earrings are the new statement earrings.
Some trends are forever—or at least for several years. Such is
the case for statement earrings, which arrived on Céline’s Fall 2014
runway and continued to dominate the Spring 2017 shows. The best bets
for 2017, we’d venture, are Proenza Schouler’s door knockers or
Altuzarra’s cherry red hoops.
Some trends are forever—or at least for several years. Such is
the case for statement earrings, which arrived on Céline’s Fall 2014
runway and continued to dominate the Spring 2017 shows. The best bets
for 2017, we’d venture, are Proenza Schouler’s door knockers or
Altuzarra’s cherry red hoops.
Big cats are the new house cats.
Everybody loves a cat sweater, this much is certain. In 2016, a
bevy of designers from Stella McCartney to Gucci put cats not only on
their clothing but also in their lookbooks, with the feline friends
curled up beside—or sometimes on—models. Gucci even went so far as to
feature actual lions and tigers in its campaign. The only way to top
this, we think, is if Coach 1941 manages to bring its tyrannosaurus
mascot Rexy to life. We’ll see. . . .
Everybody loves a cat sweater, this much is certain. In 2016, a
bevy of designers from Stella McCartney to Gucci put cats not only on
their clothing but also in their lookbooks, with the feline friends
curled up beside—or sometimes on—models. Gucci even went so far as to
feature actual lions and tigers in its campaign. The only way to top
this, we think, is if Coach 1941 manages to bring its tyrannosaurus
mascot Rexy to life. We’ll see. . . .
Credits: Indigital.tv, Vogue.com, GettyImages.
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