There are flowers on the runways! Everything's coming up roses, tulips, peonies, and more for spring 2008. One of the season's freshest trends came right from the hothouse as flower power made a huge splash across women's designer ready to wear collections of the season.
Not exactly the most subversive of trends, the budding season of rebirth was the obvious inspiration for this blossoming fad. But who says fashion always has to be revolutionary? Sometimes a girl just wants to look pretty.
While flowers are the essence of springtime, innovative designers went beyond the dated, bland granny prints and the expectedly dowdy Laura Ashley patterns, and instead piloted a fresher course. Designers followed the season's lead with delightful sartorial displays of vibrant floral illustrations and hand-painted treatments, as well as edgier distorted and blurred flowering motifs that smacked of art-nouveau.
Ralph Lauren's Formal Flowers
As part of Ralph Lauren's fabulous 40th anniversary collection, he included smart, blooming boutonnieres, brooches and cravats, playful blossom-adorned peep-toe shoes, ruffled sleeves, and a gorgeous series of colorful floral print silk-georgette evening dresses.
Stella McCartney's Laid-Back Wildflower Prints
Putting her more casual, easygoing twist on the floral trend, Stella McCartney's spring 2008 collection featured languid, flowing seventies dresses and jumpsuits in a wildflower-scattered silk voile.
Balenciaga's Graphic Blooms
Perhaps the flashiest, most original use of flowers for spring 2008 came from the house of Balenciaga. Using silhouettes which Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquière described as "graphic volumes like car bodywork," the line's spring 2008 collection featured sculptural surfaces patterned with a vivid riot of blooms including overlapping hydrangeas, pansies, peonies, daffodils, and anemones. The result? A runway filled with models that looked like futuristic floral robot warriors.
How to Wear the Flower Trend
Floral Prints
Flower lovers will run through the garden fully enveloped in large, graphic floral prints from head to toe. Fashionistas allergic to the in-your-face impact of oversized flowery patterns can opt for a quainter interpretation of the flower trend by selecting summery frocks, sexy halter tops, pretty blouses and silky scarves with mid-sized botanical prints.
And if you still think floral fashions are more granny than avant garde, flirt with dresses and skirts featuring shorter hemlines: showing off your stems will keep your look daring and just a bit coquettish.
Petal-Inspired Trim
Even ruffles can be chic if the look is right. Petal-inspired trim, such as flouncy ruffles and flowing frills are a fun way to add a touch of floral whimsy to an outfit. These details add feminine flair when placed on necklines, around sleeve openings, at hemlines, or when draped loosely across the bias of a skirt or dress. For a pretty look, ruffles should be fluid and soft; stay away from crisp or crunchy ruffles or rosettes a la 1980s prom dress.
Blooming Accessories
For just a hint of the floral trend, pull a Carrie Bradshaw and affix a bright and beautiful blossom brooch to your dress, top, or jacket lapel. Or for a beachy chic style, slip into an elegant, yet casual maxi dress (with or without a floral pattern), and tuck a freshly cut flower behind your ear.
Images courtesy of RevolveClothing.com
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