In a first-of-its-kind experience, the menswear shows for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2021 seasons take a digital avatar this year, owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Though the calendar this time around saw a limited schedule coupled with lesser attendance on part of designers and high fashion brands, the spirit put forth by the fashion world in combating this crisis head-on has been nothing short of commendable!
Since March 2020, the fashion, apparel and textile industry has been working hard to first stay afloat by switching its manufacturing factories into producing PPE and face masks, and then, to regain its footing, by catering to the demand of the period: ‘Work from Home’ clothing and athleisurewear. Slowly but surely, there is a ray of normalcy approaching as we see designers actively taking part in digital and phygital shows, across the globe (this also extends to global fashion, apparel and textile trade shows and fairs).
London staged a gender-neutral fashion week with around 80 presentations – half of which were entirely digital – and saw the likes of Burberry , Victoria Beckham and JW Anderson .
Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2021 showed further signs of normalcy with shows being staged in front of small audiences and models sans face masks. Behind-closed-doors events and live screenings brought Italian craftsmanship and heritage alive as designers bent towards age-old fashion values.
The much awaited collaboration of the season between Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons gave birth to Prada’s S/S ’21 collection, which proved to be a creative success. Keeping in line with the current pandemic situation, the collection features essentials, streamlined, ’90s-inspired trousers and tunics that are teamed up with an iteration of Prada’s ‘ugly’ prints from the same decade, Simons’ personal graphics and an oversized take on the house logo.
We at Apparel Resources bring to you the second edition of our round up for the Spring/Summer 2021 season which focuses solely on the prints, colours and related details that are set to make it big in the approaching season.
From sea-inspired prints to feminine hues for men, there are plenty of design references that would dictate the near future of fashion – so read on!
Moody Florals
What plaids are to Fall, florals are to Spring.
Everyone who even minutely follows fashion knows that florals are a spring season staple, falling in line with the ushering of a new season – but for Spring/Summer 2021, designers and high fashion brands alike chose to opt in for moodier florals that are cast over darker backgrounds.
One could say, perhaps, that this update is a direct phenomenon of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – signalling a bit of hope in such barren times – but the key to owning the florals look for the season is to go for enlarged blooms over blacks, deep blues and even dusky browns.
Tom Ford, Dior Homme, Etro, Davi Paris and many, many more provide ample references and unique takes on the same trend to get your creative juices flowing.
Seascape
An umpteen number of fashion designers and labels have taken fancy to the realms of the underwater world.
Creativity and imagination know no bounds when it comes to bringing sea animals and mythical underwater creatures to life. Think octopuses, starfish, crabs et al.
High octane sportswear meets sea-centric detailing in terms of prints and appliqué patchwork in a vibrant mix of colours at Versace, whilst sea side views full of lapping waves, palm trees and sparkling sunsets come alive at Casablanca and Davi Paris.
It is also a good way to highlight the root cause of sea pollution that causes millions of these species to suffer at the behest of mankind, every year. With sustainability being a key focus of the fashion industry, it will do well for brands and fashion houses to own up responsibility for their acts – especially during a time like this.
The Power of Pink
As gender lines continue to blur, especially in the fashion domain, more and more designers and brands introduce feminine colour palettes within their menswear collections.
The case for pink is extremely strong for pink hues which make multiple appearances across fashion capitals. Be it head-to-toe hot pink suits at Balmain, tropical pinks at Tom Ford, contrasting two-tone coordinates at Etro or blush tones at Ermenegildo Zegna, and printed dreams at Henrik Vibskov – there are plenty of options to take reference from for the upcoming warmer months.
Art-Erior Motives
Fashion takes to the canvas in quite the literal sense to present art-inspired prints and graphics for the upcoming spring season.
For as long as human mind can recall, arts and creative pursuits have come up as answers and safe havens during times of turmoil and chaos. As the world reels from the repercussions of the 21st century pandemic, artsy prints that range from hand-drawn pencil strokes, mashed up collages to watercolour florals and abstract prints feature across runways.
Though art seems to find its way into fashion every now and then, what’s novel this time around is that, it is set to revive the long-running utility trend. Functional silhouettes and durable fabrications are lent some character with artistic detailing and strategically placed graphic patterns.
Tie And Dye Effects
Hand-done crafts and techniques have been steadily gaining popularity for quite some seasons now and hence, it is no surprise that yet again, we see the trend of tie and dye techniques featuring on the top trends list for Spring/Summer 2021.
Designers and brand look at both handcrafted as well as digitally created versions of the tie and dye prints in a slew of vibrant and contrasting colours to invoke a sense of vitality and hope amongst consumers.
Prints are further accentuated using beaded embroidery, flocking, and jacquard. The colour palette tilts towards a more subtle and softer tune, which sees blurred, hazy effects with a soft focus.
Watercolour, digital and ombre effects are fused together to add higher definition to the garments.
Nautical Dreams
The fascination with sea-inspired detailing continues as designers impart, what can be labelled as a micro-trend; nautical references showed up at many a designers’ presentations in the form of anchors, navy nautical stripes, ropes, et al.
Stand-out looks include anchor-covered intarsia knit sweaters a la Gucci, exaggerated Breton-style tops at Dolce & Gabbana and sailor style sweaters at Casablanca’s presentation.
Travel History
Even though this year can be marked off as a no-show in terms of travel, the fashion world looks at global cultures to evoke a sense of wanderlust to satiate our appetite for travel.
Colourful tile-inspired prints, paisley motifs and painterly stripes over textured surface materials do a good job at providing us with itchy feet.
The colour palette revolves around faded, sepia toned muted hues that mimic a page out of history books.
Vertical Stripes
Geometrics for the season feature vertical stripes as designers and high fashion brands alike, give their vote of confidence to this almost-classic trend.
Despite lending an illusion to make one look taller and slimmer, these linear patterns do a good job and add character to a garment – especially if it comes drenched in Spring/Summer 2021’s essence.
From half-and-half patterns over oversized shirts at Botter, to striped trousers at Blue Marble, to linear knits at CMMN SWDN, to minimal stripes at Dior Homme, Casablanca and pinstripes at Celine, fashion really presented a slew of options when it comes to a simple trend such as this one!
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