SPRING / SUMMER 2014 RUNWAY REPORT Y
ears later, when one looks back at the spring of 2014, it ought to be remembered as the beginning of a trend that lingered on for many seasons. Not only couturiers, but influential fast fashion brands have also been engulfed by the rampant athleticism evident in both menswear and women’s wear. As we enter this edition of spring, shelves at stores are getting prepped for the unisex bomber jackets, agile sweatpants and sporty crop tops; needless to say, the batch of health conscious consumers is on its way to translate into a collective culture – a culture that evokes a sense of relevance in fashion. This relevance has enabled ideas in fashion that would have previously been abandoned, one of them being the introduction of slack fit in formal ensembles. The ease with which designers have blended silhouettes through multifunctional hybrids-shirtdresses, pyjama trousers and roomy tunics – empowers people caught in a world of exhaustive options. High street brands will only strike a chord if they manage to include this streak of versatility in their collections – ensembles which could tick more boxes than one on the trend checklist. The question remains, what do we take forth from this feisty spring? We take forth relevance, a fashion ideal that is beyond its shock value and, to the relief of many, a mood of relaxation. The will to unravel the culture of sports and knead cultural influences, developing silhouettes that rank high on functionality and more importantly, exploring the underdog category of knits.
Menswear The dandy man and the technical geek coexist amid abstract plaids and geometric florals
Womenswear Sporty silhouettes coloured in an icy palette of pastels gush in with ultra relaxed formals and translucent sheers