As the world moves between Corona and the Ukraine war, the fashion industry gathered at the Fashion Weeks in Milan and Paris. On the streets of the fashion capitals this season it seemed to be about leaving the pandemic behind and returning to its former glory. However, it was not just about making clothes that sparkled as much as possible, but also about using the power of fashion to set a sign of peace.
Flower power and 70s vibes
The flower power style came with the hippies in the early 1970s. In this movement, the colorful flower patterns were a symbol of the ideal of a humanized society. With war raging in Ukraine, this spirit has been brought back to life on the streets of fashion week.
In addition to pieces with simply illustrated flowers, bright colors and patterns could also be seen – like from a lava lamp. Baggy sweaters were paired with casual accessories like silky headbands and big sunglasses. This is contrasted with prints reminiscent of the patterned wallpaper of the 70s – with a muted color palette of beige, green and orange.
gradients
The wearers of pieces with color gradients were just as colourful. The trend, which was already apparent on the catwalk of the Paris men’s fashion week in January, was now also to be discovered in the street style looks. Tight-fitting long-sleeves – like those from the Y/Project FW22 collection – blouses and fluffy coats were on display.
The colorful looks were combined with single-colored bags, the tone of which is reflected in the color gradients. The colors of the rest of the outfit are meanwhile reserved, so that the focus is on the it-piece and the matching accessories.
pattern doubling
Less the colors, but the patterns made for an eye-catcher among the wearers. This season it was not about layering and mixing as many different patterns as possible, but about playing with a specific material and pattern.
Patterns like tartan were combined in different colors and styles and brought together into one piece. The range goes from a rather calm look with a lumberjack shirt to a punk aesthetic, where the focus is on a short kilt with a DIY aesthetic. But other patterns and fabrics such as leather and snake prints in different colors have also been used.
Snake print
The snakeskin look seemed to be particularly popular among animal prints in street style this season – which can almost always be spotted somewhere on the streets and catwalks. For the FW22 catwalk looks, Ami relied on leopard prints and Alaïa on a whole range of zebra to cheetah looks. On the street, however, it was especially the snake print, which, as in the upper trend, was combined in different colors for a skirt. A more subtle snakeskin look was also used on trousers and jackets.
Pieces with lighter snake prints were rounded off with white pieces. For darker patterns, however, some color was also used. Dark trousers with a snake print can be combined well with a green oversized jacket, which gives the look a certain jungle touch.
bling bling
The pieces decorated with sequins and stones provided a small, sparkling glimmer of hope in these difficult times. The glittering and sparkling elements were used both extensively and more discreetly.
But it was also particularly noticeable that the bling-bling pieces were not only worn in the form of classic evening wear. One wearer paired a shimmering sequin jumpsuit with a slightly sheer and flowy parka. A more alternative look featured a brown short skirt studded with different colored jewels beneath a brown and white spotted coat.