Essential Calgary Magazine Essential Calgary 2017 | Page 30

Trend Report
from the Runway
Karl Lagerfeld has always been interested in
taking the codes of Chanel and reworking them
to reflect something modern. He is notorious for
insisting his work is never looking back and only
forward so it’s no wonder this was especially
the message at the Chanel Data Centre for
spring 2017. The show opened with robots in
traditional versions of a Chanel tweed skirt suit
but what followed was an easy and effortless
collection with a mix of contrasts providing the
newness Karl is so insistent upon. He called it
“intimate technology” and gave us a varied and
endless mix of both.
Technology is inherent in the ability of the
most traditional fabric at Chanel, the tweed, to
be constantly updated and reworked to reflect
the house’s sensibility and Karl Lagerfeld’s
desire to look forward. This is the vanguard
for the line and is something that Lagerfeld
managed to rework into a light and casual
fabric. The colours of the cables from the Data
Centre set seemed to be woven into the yarns
of a jacket while the copper wire from inside
the machine was used to add a metallic touch
to some of the pieces. There was a modern ease
and simplicity to the lines of the clothes seen in
slouchy jackets paired with full skirts and wide
leg trousers.
That ease was taken even further with the
incorporation of lingerie pieces, the “intimate”
part of the motif. Many pieces were presented
as under pinnings for jackets and dresses, but
always a peek of them somewhere. The most
effective of these were the tweed skirts with
zippers running the full length of the front
and back, allowing the wearer to decide how
intimately she wants to present the lingerie
beneath. Some of the pieces felt a little like
just wearing your peignoir set out for dinner
but when they were mixed in as a light and
feminine layer they were extremely successful.
Prints were out in full force, and multi-colours
with digital inspired graphics printed on
gossamer silks. Again he shows us the contrast
of these bright patterns mixed with the quiet
tones of blush pink and soft whites.
The maximalist approach at Chanel was

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THE ESSENTIAL CALGARY 2016/17

familiar with every girl decked out in at
least three statement pieces. The Lagerfeld
signature fingerless gloves were there and so
was the Coco Chanel trademark camellia. Flat
shoes have always been a staple for Chanel
and this season they were the shoe of choice
without a high heel in sight. It seems the one
earring trend is still going strong as long as
it’s massive and jewelled, but the most fun
accessories were the bags which seem to
get wackier each season. My favourite was
a tie between a small robot on a chain to an
incredible bag that lit up with patterns and
was programmed to read CHANEL, because
while technology is critical to how we live our
lives it can also just be fun.
After seeing the offerings for spring 2017,
here are the biggest trends to watch for to
incorporate into your own wardrobe and wear
all year round:
Lingerie is still a hot commodity even if you
might feel a little cold wearing it. Try layering
pieces like a camisole over a tee shirt or leave
a slip peeking out from under your skirt. Look
for feminine pastels for a light version or go full
vamp and try something in black.
Statement jewellery is still important through
the winter and into spring 2017. Oversized
necklaces and big pieces in general are really on
trend. Try starting with one large piece until you
feel bold enough to layer and if you want to try
the one earring trend, maybe split a pair with a
friend and get something really extravagant.
Novelty handbags seem to hold more ground
than ever before. Gone are the days when
your one black bag did all the work, now it’s
important to have some fun! Look for pieces
that can start a conversation while holding your
stuff.
Casual silhouettes are also becoming
more important as we move through
winter and into spring. While the fabrics
change seasonally, look for shapes like wide
leg trousers, flouncy skirts and slouchy
sweatshirts. It doesn’t need to be your old
sweats but it can be just as comfortable to
wear and look so much better.

PHOTOGRAPHS: © 2016 CHANEL

A Calgary-based, international stylist shares
her tips on how to wear runway styles
by leah van loon