We all know what the fashion capitals of the world are: chic Paris, sexy Milan, super slick New York and, of course, uber cool London.
If you’re anything like the style conscious Brazilians that I am lucky enough to meet on the fashion scene, who adore clothes and dressing up, then spending time in any one of these cities is always going to be a seductive prospect. But if it’s the cutting-edge future trends you want to know about – the sort that will ensure you are ahead of the game as a new season approaches – then there’s no doubt in my mind that London is the most inspiring of them all.
Thanks to our unrivalled history of edgy street style – from Twiggy and Kate Moss, to a new crop of scene kids like Paul Hameline – some of the biggest names in fashion hail from here. Vivienne Westwood (with her signature combination of punk and British history), Alexander McQueen (whose collection are as darkly artistic as they are commercial), and Stella McCartney are all superstars of the industry and have kept London on the style map through the decades. Add to this, a high street fashion scene buzzing with retailers such as Miss Selfridge, Karen Millen and River Island, who all produce fashionable clothing that is accessible to the average consumer. The typical Brit is usually happy to combine a bit of Primark and Burberry in the same outfit.
The sheer size of London, its long history as the place where the planet’s coolest and most creative often come to work or study (some at Central Saint Martins, the world’s leading fashion school), have made it uniquely influential. It also helps that its inhabitants are so diverse, with a chaotic energy and that the city seems to encourage and nurture individuality and an audacious spirit
But that’s quite enough flattery from me. I’m sure what you really want to know is where does all this leave your wardrobe planning for spring/summer? 2017 is upon us. So as one of London’s less fabulous characteristics – the seemingly endless winters (I can only apologise!), it’s time to start thinking about what to wear as the prospect of shedding a layer or two approaches.
So what’s hot, what’s not – and what’s going to get you noticed when the mornings get lighter and the skirts get shorter. In the right way, of course.
The first good news for is that this season sees some serious colour statements being on trend. Brazilians love colour and these shades will be just beautiful on South American skin tones. Fuchsia and yellow were favourites and models were seen in the Mulberry Show wearing bright canary yellow slouchy pyjama-style outerwear. Hot fuchsia pink flooded the runways and was seen at PPQ and in the more accessible Topshop Unique spring/summer collection. If you want a muted tone khaki is a big trend with the designers too, with most of the high street brands picking up on this more wearable colour. Don’t save this trend just for the beach though, am sure you have beachwear in every shade of the rainbow already! Be bold and confident, bring a little bit of vibrant Ipanema Beach to the streets of London town and brighten up our streets with colourful daywear.
Picking up on some essentials that will be useful additions to your wardrobe for both London and also trips back home to Brazil, Bralettes are big news! They were seen at Alexander McQueen and many other designers showed them, worn unusually over shirts but then also with diaphanous dresses and pencil skirts. The High Street Stores will be picking up on this trend with accessible variations for sure!
For the office, deconstructed shirts are the way to go, as seen at Banana Republic, a US brand which has taken London by storm. As this trend is deconstructed it can be worn in the evening too, and seen as interesting, informal eveningwear. Thinking about those balmy cocktail evenings in Brazil or in London when the weather finally catches up with our mood…
The Eighties theme has been resurrected in a big way, puffball sleeves, spandex leggings and lame fabrics, anything and everything Joan Collins! A great excuse to go and check out all the vintage clothes shops in London, for example in The Stables at Camden Town, and find some original pieces. If the Eighties idea seems a bit “costumey” for day, just pick out elements of the decade or save the look for an evening out.
One more trend to think about and one that is ever-so wearable is sportswear. It was seen on the runways at Gucci, Dior and Versace. Taking the look into day wear, rather than gym wear, think about layering jogging leggings under flouncy, dresses and skirts. The models were wearing studded anoraks and crystallised tracksuit tops. Again, this is certain to be picked up on the High Street but also a great opportunity to get handy with the glue gun and make a trip to the haberdashery at John Lewis. Why not customise your own sporty pieces?
To compliment your new wardrobe, you are going to want a matching lipstick and know what to do with your hair, obviously!
Every girl knows how important keeping up with the latest makeup and hair trends are and as a Brazilian woman in London there is absolutely no reason to think that you will not find the best colours to suit your skin tone. London is a melting pot of culturally and racially diverse people and the cosmetic companies and stores have been catering for all of us for sometimes now. Hairdressers spread across the City, who have extensive knowledge of working with Brazilian hair, are waiting to get their hands on you and help bring out your inner glamazon!
It is no surprise that this season sees the Eighties trend in fashion, followed through with Eighties makeup also. This is the trend to have fun with! Either go all out and re-live or create some first-time-round Eighties memories or pick a detail and subtly nod to the decade. The Eighties were the decade of colour, so eye shadow, blusher or lipsticks in vibrant shades are the way to go. As you know now, fuchsia and yellow are hot this season so incorporate these colours into your makeup too! Rimmel, Eyeko and Pixi Beauty are all London based cosmetic companies that stock a great and colourful range. Don’t forget your hair when it comes to the Eighties trend either… Time to have fun with hair texture also and plug those crimpers in. A bright lipstick, matching bikini and big crimped hair translates to the hottest look for Copacabana Beach…
If The Eighties trend seems far too over-the–top for you to indulge in or you need a subtle trend to compliment “the bold and the beautiful”, the good news is, a pared down makeup and hair was observed for 2017.
The “no makeup-makeup” look is notably fashionable again and was seen across many of the shows on all the models. Fortunately Brazilian skin tones usually need little cosmetic help to look their naturally beautiful best, so this is an easy look to pull off. Makeup artists that work in all the big department stores, from Selfridges, Harvey Nichols through to Debenhams, are adept at working with South American skin tones, so you can be confident in their advice when making purchases. With simple makeup comes simple hair so style your hair with low side partings and slicked low ponytails. Lots of elegant bobbed haircuts were observed at the Prada Show and Gucci cut fringes into their models hair, so if you thinking of restyling you hair this season these are a couple of options to consider.
Hopefully that has given you a good excuse to hit the shops and burn some plastic to update your wardrobe and makeup and be on trend in the style stakes for Spring 2017. Embody everything that London represents and express your individuality by embracing what is stylish this season but don’t forget to add your own twist and a bit of the tropical to what you wearing and keep the streets of London as vibrant as always!
