Harmony: This was about simplicity in terms of shape and fabric where designs were spontaneous and free rather than contrived. The mood was calm and collected with a concentrated focus on ultra lightweight fabrics. There was a predominant mix of tradition and technology especially in street style and sportswear that gave the theme an interesting dimension.
Ecology: Very appropriate and 'the' current trend that plays on the minds of many designers, retailers and consumers, “in five years both ethical and ecological clothing will be a real part of the market, based on consumer demand” confirmed Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine.
Ermenegildo Zegna showed a very green and environmentally conscious collection including a jacket with built-in solar panels on the neck enabling the wearer to charge batteries for iPods and phones. “Green, clean and environmentally friendly” is a long term concept that the Zegna Family feel very passionate about.
To echo the sentiments of the key themes the predominant colours were soft and neutral, with an amalgamation of milky whites and ecru. The use of vegetable dyes reinforced the eco-friendly theme and demonstrated that natural products can be just as effective without compromising quality and style.
Woolmark Trends for S/S 2008 definitely mirrored the colour palettes and fibres on show at Pitti Uomo, where neutral tones such as soya milk, vanilla and chino provided the backdrop to lively metallic shades. The idea of 'less is more' was certainly evident with the presence of wool, cashmere, linen, silk and cotton as predominant fibres.
Luxurious fabrics were in great demand at the fair with the emphasis on construction quality and practicality rather than fashion trends. This signals a move away from 'fast fashion' and can only be a good thing for the promotion of merino wool natural fibres.
Casual and informal styles seemed to prevail at the show yet there was an air of the traditional, this came in the way of classic jackets, trousers and the short sleeved shirt. These have been reinvented with the use of innovative performance fabrics that create functionality with a modern edge.
It's evident that designers have been paying special attention to technical details both inside and outside the garments. The man's silhouette remains straight and narrow with the emergence of a shorter Bermuda style trouser.
Overall it is clear that the prevailing trend is for simplification, getting back to basics and rediscovering the classics. This was the clear message coming through for the Spring/Summer 2008 season.
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