This is a very important season for
contrasting texture effects in
clothing. Look out for
encrusted jewel trimmings and also beautiful
gold Damask weave decoration.
In the past decade
texture in fashion has grown apace, ever since the
underlying trend for
eclectic ethnic started. It brought appliquι and traditional folkloric elements into the design of the fabric and construction of our
clothes. This fascination for embellishment has led to a
revived interest in opulent luxury fabrics.
For
autumn 2007/Winter 2008 texture is one of the main stories. Two types of texture are most prominent:
1. Brocade Fabrics - traditional damask weaves and Venetian
brocade patterns that will move toward tapestry fabric effects
by summer 2008.
2. Fabric Encrustation - huge cabochon*, square glass and
crystal jewels; you will also see beads,
or sequins
which all add depth and surface texture.
*Cabochon is a
gemstone that is polished rather than cut.
Above left - Emma Somerset Autumn/Winter 2007 - Occasion Wear - Brocade
puff sleeve coat £325 and shift dress £99 by Oky Coky. Printed
bangle £28 by Emma Somerset. OkyCoky is collection from
the Spanish design duo Geli Torres and Sandro Portela.
Metallic or jewelled texture is one of the
most prominent trends in every form of fashion wear. Rich
gold brocades have added value with their extra bead embellishment. Evening
bags drip with jewel studding,
belt buckles cascade stones and
crystals.
Think texture, contrast, gloss, gleam, sheen, gold and
goddess glitz.
Matt texture is set against shiny or metallic; as the fabrics all vie for attention, the effect is to shock and delight. Fabrics thrill
because many materials are quite simply lush in their rich complexity. The effects are so
unusual to the eye they seem almost mysterious in their
opulence. Many will give the impression of belonging in a distant
eastern bazaar or renaissance faire. Re-enactors are
advised to take advantage whilst this fabric is so strongly in fashion, and stock up on the best brocades
available.
Patterns in brocade can be subtle or bold, however, bold and manifestly
renaissance in style often wins through, like this beautiful
gold and black brocade coat from Emma Somerset shown above left.
Brocade and damask looks have become a norm in current fashion.
A
few years ago the jacquard brocade fabric seemed initially limited to haute
couture and the odd
magazine dress or coat, now opulence has moved into main stream fashion and
brocade is
used for every fashion item from tunic dresses, bags to footwear.
This trend for gold damask is likely to endure, since, Dolce and Gabbana feature gold damask patterned
trousers in their summer 2008 collection.
For autumn 2007, gold fabrics, rich ochre brocade materials
and deluxe gold trim are regularly set against black. This dress
right is from Warehouse.
Far right - Warehouse Catwalk Shots AW07 Look 51 - Tunic
dress £90/140, belt £18/27.
Near right - Detail of the tunic brocade fabric and contrast
textured buckle belt, creating ornament on ornament.
Left - French Connection Campaign 07 - Gold and
black spot
dress £95, black body £30, black suede ankle boots £90.
Right - Phase Eight Autumn/Winter 2007 - Embellished tunic £90,
shell pendant £20.
Above
left - Warehouse Catwalk Shots AW07 - Look 53 -Maxi Dress
£150/230.
Centre - Warehouse Catwalk Shots AW07 - Look 11 - Blouse
£30/45, Dress £65/99.
Right - New Look Autumn/Winter 07/08 Collection - Legend
Womenswear Cream button blouse (worn as jacket) £25/36, White
vest £4/6, Skinny jeans £25/36, Brown shoes £35/50,
Gold cuff with black
disks £12/17, Gold cuff with black squares £12/17.
Sheer soft silver acts as a
silky and ethereal pastel tone, especially when set against
warrior-like anthracite, charcoal and gunmetal grey. The resulting effect gives
out a strong powerful message when worn by a woman - 'Don't mess
with me'. In addition, the colour combination also looks
expensive and adds a new gravitas to these styles.
This tunic dress left and right is studded with jewels and is
from French Connection Christmas Collection 2007 - Magical
mosaic dress £135.
Texture is especially noticeable in the black range of
clothing. Matt texture on black sits beside a black satin edge, with
perhaps a black chiffon frayed insert.
Black or gold is the foundation for
contrasting texture. This multi-jewel, embellished tunic dress
adds interest with innovative surface gilding. By its very newness, you will arouse interest when you wear such a novel
dress.
Some
sequin fabrics also have added texture. Elongated Pailettes and spangles dangling from the surface create new garments with
armour like scales.
Fabrics lay texture on texture,
they contrast matt against
smooth, or reptilian leathers against dry
suede.
Croc and lizard, python, animal
skin prints, real or fake are all available. Armorial leather is
re-textured with cut-outs, punch work, plaiting, studding,
weaving or appliquι. Shiny patent also provides a sleek contrast and
uses bold colours like black, yellow and of course, traditional
gleaming black, to command attention in modern rainwear Macs.
Wet look gold molten looks were prominent in recent spring 2008 catwalk collections. Combined with
metallic colourations, the resulting look is of molten metal, dripping and
lustrous with gleam.
Glimmer, shimmer and sparkle are a challenge for modern metallics. The resulting appearance is either molten, sheer or iridescent.
24k gold tones both compete and contrast with
either pastel pale gold, stronger rose gold, or copper bronze hues.
Sheer gold and semi-sheer gold fabrics are laid upon each other
to help create nuances of tone, and also the play of light and shade. Above right - Copper bronze sequin tunic dress from Marks and Spencer.
Vera Mont golden suit - Above left this
combination of skirt, bodice and blouse jacket made from
metal-organza and satin has sophisticated gathers and frills.
Autumn/Winter '07 - Vera Mont Bodice 1857/4341 UK ₤105.00/IRL
140.00, Material: 55% acetate, 25% metal, 20% polyamide.
Blouse 1851/4374 - UK ₤125.00/ IRL 160.00 - Material: 88%
polyester, 12% metal.
Vera Mont Skirt 1743/4374 - UK ₤115.00/IRL 150.00 - Material:
88% polyester, 12% metal.
Above - Three very different gold outfits,
but each captures the essence of the golden season.
Autumn 2007 is one of iridescence, opulence and shimmer.
This is the year to dress up and be the ultra glam the character
of Jill Masterson the Goldfinger 007 gold painted lady.
These are the new fashion styles for
gold and evening Fashion Trends Autumn 2007, Winter 2008.
Left -
Warehouse Christmas Collection A/W2007 - Look 52 - Jacquard
blouse with high waist trousers - Blouse £65/99, trousers
£55/85.
Centre - Monsoon - Gold sequin evening empire line dress.
Right - Autumn Winter Fashion from Freemans - Gold sequin
shift
dress, Product number 53H790LMY, £45.
Special thanks to David of
prshots
with all images on this page courtesy of
Emma Somerset, Monsoon, Warehouse, Phase Eight, New Look, Vera
Mont, French Connection, Freemans and IFTF (header image) Autumn
winter 2007 ranges.
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This is a very important season for
contrasting texture effects in
clothing. Look out for
Sheer soft silver acts as a
silky and ethereal pastel tone, especially when set against
warrior-like anthracite, charcoal and gunmetal grey. The resulting effect gives
out a strong powerful message when worn by a woman - 'Don't mess
with me'. In addition, the colour combination also looks
expensive and adds a new gravitas to these styles.
Fabrics lay texture on texture,
they contrast matt against
smooth, or reptilian leathers against dry
suede. 
