Wish List

The best of the spring/summer 2020 season favours the bold, with designers envisioning a woman who claims the space and attention around her the moment she walks in the door. This power is radiated not through sober suits or prim pieces, but dramatic shapes and intense colour that telegraph confidence and optimism. Pierpaolo Piccioli expressed it best with his Valentino confections that managed to be both light in weight and high on impact (#10). The key is to amp up silhouette and saturation, but keep everything else as unfussy as possible. Christopher John Rogers’s strawberry-shaped ball skirt (#2) would look subversively chic with a tank, while a burst of ruffles (#7) or a flurry of feathers (#4) adds tactile flair without looking overwrought. When accessorising, flout eveningwear conventions with a supersized squishy pouch or go full Lizzo in the other extreme with the teensiest bag you can find (#6). Forget old-fashioned diamonds; jewellery with a sculptural flair (#9) in unusual colours and materials (#11) looks far more interesting. And to dial up the drama even more, finish off with a pair of opera gloves in a contrasting pastel hue (#5) and a bold coral lip (#12).

 

1. Sandal, Christian Louboutin 2. Skirt, about $2,715, Christopher John Rogers at Net-a-Porter 3. Necklace, Jennifer Meyer 4. Dress, about $1,580, Cult Gaia at Net-a-Porter 5. Gloves, $920, Gucci 6. Bag, $1,840, Valentino 7. Dress, Solace London 8. Luna Play Plus in Sunflower Yellow, $79, Foreo 9. Maillon de Cartier watch, $42,800, Cartier 10. Valentino spring/summer 2020 11. Ring, about $590, Bea Bongiasca at Net-a-Porter 12. Lip Glow Oil in 004 Coral, $50, Dior