FASHION
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THE LUXURY REPORT | SUMMER 2021/22
LA FONTELINA MAY have been off the cards for a while, but the Mediterranean will be influencing our wardrobes for the next few months, according to Alireza Shakoori, the menswear curator at the luxury fashion boutique Harrolds. Based in Melbourne, Shakoori is taking his cue from holidaymakers in the Northern Hemisphere who enjoyed time in the sun while much of Australia was in lockdown. “That look is going to be quite strong this summer,” he predicts. The vibe? Think the relaxed poolside soirées captured by Slim Aarons at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, or a young Romy Schneider and Alain Delon sunbathing in “La Piscine” (1969). Or, closer to home, think long lunches and pre-dinner dips at Bondi Beach or Byron Bay. We have our own summer to dress for, after all. This season, the colour palette of menswear emerges from the ocean itself, in gradients that mimic the shifting shades of the sea. “You’re going to see a lot of men wearing white trousers with different tones of blue — navy or pale blue jackets — mainly in a blend of silk and linen,” Shakoori says, noting the importance of unlined clothing and breathable fabrics in Australian climes. These cool shades complement softer, subtle hues, introduced overseas for spring and summer to offset the seriousness of suiting. Shakoori points to pastel pink and low-key lilac, seen on the runways in Paris and Milan. “They’re also going to be making an appearance in menswear this summer,” he says.
OPPOSITE: PETER TARASIUK
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European designers are lightening up this season, as they play with laidback suiting, ice-cool greys and lots of linen. Here, we find out how to make it work for an Australian summer (footwear optional). By JEN NURICK
