Whilst the rest of us have enough trouble coping with this year’s up-and-coming trends, the fickle world of fashion is already looking a year ahead, giving a literal meaning to the phrase fashion-forward!
Cruise collections (also referred to as Resort) come out before the bread-and-butter major spring/summer runway shows, and are designed to give a preview of what is hot in terms of future trends. They are so named due to the fact that they fill a gap in the market during winter (when stores traditionally stock heavy-weight, warmer clothing), and were originally produced for wealthy vacationers, who travelled to tropical resorts, and those who took luxury cruises in order to follow the sun.
If you're planning to be right-on-trend this season, but want your money to go a little bit further, then take note of John Galliano's 2009 Cruise Collection for fashion heavy-weight, Christian Dior. Galliano's third-year resort runway show went off with an A-list attendance, and all the pomp and ceremony that is associated with the prestigious label. From Jennifer Lopez and hubby Marc Anthony, to Charlize Theron and Christina Aguilera, the rich and famous were beguiled with ruffles and bows aplenty, and maximum statement maxi dresses that put these season’s styles in the shade. According to the Chic Shopper online, the 2009 Dior Cruise runway show by John Galliano “was stunning and gorgeous in every way,”
Rest assured that any ruffle blouses, skirts and tops will still be hanging at home in your wardrobe next summer season, along with full-length maxis and statement shoes. If there is one word to describe the general theme of Dior’s 2009 Cruise Collection it's “overstated.”
Gigantic ruffles abound, in keeping with this year’s current trend,and the feminine and elegant maxi looks set to last yet another summer season, with some breathtakingly elegant showstoppers taking these floor-sweeping dresses to the max.
With Galliano’s super-baggy trousers and off-the-shoulder ‘60s style peasant tops, for anyone questioning the longevity of their fashion investments, think Bohemian caftans, frilly peasant blouses and volumnous maxi dresses.
The ‘60s theme is embraced with capri pants, peplum jackets and trapeze dresses, but the collection has been given a hint of 1960s rather than full-on swinging ‘60s style. With floaty caftans and palazzo pants, the lounge look is the order of the day.
Colors are bold and bouncy with a continuation of this seasons hot pinks, fuschias and corals, and green took over the runway as the new black, according to Look magazine of 26th May 2008, in their article "We Know What You’ll Be Wearing Next Summer." From subtle shades of pear-green to more vibrant limes, green gave a distinctly citrus element to the runway.
One key note element was the heavy embroidery to be found on almost everything, including shoes and swimsuits. From heavily embellished one-pieces to huge beaded sleeves on blouses and embellished collars on jackets. These were topped off with a few Mexican oversized sombreros for good measure, in keeping with the supersized theme.
According to Style.com, this, Galliano’s third Resort collection was in stark contrast to his spartan-look first show, three years ago.
From the sneak previews at least when women hit the store this summer they can be aware of the hottest likely looks and trends for the following year. If the Dior Cruise Collection is an indication of what we’ll be wearing next summer then bold maxis, ruffle skirts and collars, trapeze dresses and embellishments have yet another year around the block.
Other 2009 cruise collections, such as Carolina Herrera's latest looks reflect a subtle combination of tradional with a modern, on-trend twist.