While S/S and F/W generate bigger showmanship buzz, it’s the in-between seasonal collections – Resort (also known as Cruise) and Pre-Fall – that are designed for longevity as much as desirability. So before you head for a store or go online, let this first of a two-parter be your guide to what to wear and covet from now until August.
While S/S and F/W generate bigger showmanship buzz, it’s the in-between seasonal collections – Resort (also known as Cruise) and Pre-Fall – that are designed for longevity as much as desirability.
So before you head for a store or go online, let this first of a two-parter be your guide to what to wear and covet from now until August.
Calfskin wooden clog boots (price unavailable).
The Two Labels to Put Your $ on
What Salvatore Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta have in common: new creative directors who share the same ethos as Phoebe Philo, and are filling the void she left behind. In layman speak: They join a growing number of designers who prefer to dress real women with real lives rather than women with make-believe ones.
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
2 Margot ostrich-skin bag, $6,390, and calfskin brogues, $1,090.
3 Suede platform sandals, $1,150.
4 Brass necklace (price unavailable).
Englishman Paul Andrew is on the fast track as the Italian brand’s CD after just three collections of womenswear, for good reason: There’s finally cohesion between what the brand is famous for (footwear) and the other stuff that completes the picture – bags, apparel and accessories. For Pre-Fall, it’s not an overstatement to say that baby boomers and millennials alike will look at his nouveau classics of loafers, oxfords, slingbacks and thigh-high boots with new eyes. But it’s the clog boot with the updated Gancini buckle that will be a sell-out.
BOTTEGA VENETA
1 The Marie calfskin bag, $5,380.
2 Knit bodysuit, $2,470, calfskin skirt, $6,920, brass bracelet, $1,560, calfskin bag, $3,280, and lamé pumps, $1,500.
3 Intrecciato calfskin tote, $3,110, and calfskin pumps, $1,500.
4 Linen dress, $4,170, The Arco calfskin tote, $10,920, and mesh pumps, $1,260.
5 Wool and leather pullover, $1,950, calfskin bermudas, $5,110, and calfskin sandals, $1,020.
6 Calfskin mules (price unavailable).
7 Calfskin lace-ups, $1,260.
8 Mesh pumps, $1,260.
9 Knit tank top, $1,330, satin skirt, $1,510, Intrecciato Rete calfskin tote, $13,650, and calfskin mules, $900.
Don’t overlook Daniel Lee’s first collection for the Italian house because of his second (F/W ’19 was his runway debut). It was plucked from pre-Hedi Slimane Celine, where he worked under you-know-who, and critics are quick to say there are a lot of Philophile designs here, from the oversized bags to the square-toed pumps. Yes, there are, and frankly, we don’t mind at all.
A.W.A.K.E. Mode
Be a Silver Surfer
MSGM
The shiny stuff is anything but cliched futuristic. Which means you will get a lot more mileage from it.
1 Viscose skirt, $69.90, Zara.
2 Glitter fabric flats, $925, Jimmy Choo.
3 Knit tunic, $59.90, Zara.
4 Sequinned top, $55.90, Zara.
5 Sequinned leather ankle boots (price unavailable), Louis Vuitton.
6 Cotton pants, $395, Sandro.
Givenchy
The A-line Skirt
Dice Kayek and A.W.A.K.E. Mode
Tailored, structured and cinched at the waist, it’s your introduction number to Fall’s big trend – the return of glamour.
Brass earrings, $520 and $230, Bottega Veneta.
Hoops & Shoulder Dusters
Pre-Fall’s earrings swing either way: subtle or showy.
HOOPS
1 Mini hoop earrings in Monogram Canvas and gold-tone metal (price unavailable), Louis Vuitton.
2 Copper with natural pearl, $460, Chloe.
SHOULDER DUSTERS
1 Metal and strass earrings, $3,840, Chanel.
2 J’Adior metal earrings with crystals, $1,500, Christian Dior.
3 Metal earrings with crystals, $1,560, Gucci.
Isabel Marant Etoile
Killer Leather Jackets
Leather jacket, $5,290, Bottega Veneta.
This is a good time for classics, from biker and tailored to ’80s numbers.
1 Polyurethane, $69.90, Stradivarius.
2 Leather, $2,500, Coach.
3 Suede, $1,500, Coach.
Gucci
That ’70s Look
Get ahead on F/W’s “I’m bourgeois” trend with pussycat-bow blouses and full, pleated, knee-length skirts for that preppy middle-class look.
1 Metal sunglasses, $730, Christian Dior.
2 Leather bag, $380, Furla.
3 Mini Dauphine Monogram and Monogram Reverse canvas bag, $3,600, Louis Vuitton.
4 Lined viscose jacket, $54.95, H&M.
5 Viscose blouse, $74.95, H&M.
6 Wool pullover, $480, Maje.
7 Arli medium shoulder bag, $3,610, Gucci.
8 Embossed calfskin boots, $2,090, Chloe.
9 Jacquard prairie top, $550, Coach.
10 Tassels medium tweed and calfskin bag, $2,450, Celine.
Dsquared 2
Snakeskin Print
The animal-friendly way to do an animal look.
1 Polyester bucket hat, $39.90, Zara.
2 Polyurethane belt, $45.90, Zara.
3 Polyurethane bag, $49.90, Topshop.
4 Polyamide swimsuit, $79.90, Mango.
5 Leather bag (price unavailable), Pinko.
Slingbacks
The sexier version of pumps comes in high and low styles.
1 Leather, $1,890, Manolo Blahnik.
2 Calfskin and Monogram Canvas (price unavailable), Louis Vuitton.
3 Pied-de-poule wool, $1,390, Christian Dior.
4 Jacquard, $1,400, Fendi.
5 Calfskin (price unavailable), Louis Vuitton.
6 Lambskin with floral applique (price unavailable), Christian Dior.
Calfskin, $1,590, Christian Dior and Leather (price unavailable), Burberry.
Mules
Designed for you to slip on and off easily.
Dice Kayek
Loafer Boots
Shiny calfskin, $1,900, Chloe.
There’s no need to decide between loafers and boots when you can have both – at the same time.
The Bags
Some will be wanted by both influencers and real women. Others are for the 1 percent to show off before they offload them at Vestiaire Collective. And another lot exists just to be photographed with.
THE HOT BUYS
Some are spin-offs of current bestsellers. Some are new, though they don’t look it. Their one commonality: They will sell like hotcakes.
Christian Dior’s Oblique Canvas range has expanded to include other styles, including a cabin-sized trolley, which will definitely be making appearances at airports.
1 Tassels medium embossed calfskin bag, $2,950, Celine.
2 Ophidia leather shoulder bag, $2,390, Gucci.
3 Oblique Canvas Tri-pouch Saddle bag with leather strap, $1,900, Christian Dior.
4 30 Montaigne Oblique Canvas flap bag, $4,500. Christian Dior.
5 Oblique Canvas M-size travel trolley, $7,100. Christian Dior.
THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
What qualifies a bag to be in this category? It should either be limited in quantity and design, or be created to not appeal to the masses in price and style.
1 Plexiglass and strass minaudiere, $28,110, Chanel.
2 Ophidia straw bag, $3,400, Gucci.
3 Sylvie wicker and leather bag, $5,120, Gucci.
4 Suede and leather minaudiere, $4,980, Chanel.
Only available online at sg.burberry.com, it’s hand candy you’ll want soon.
THE STREET STYLES
Large shopper, $5,780, Chanel.
What’s an influencer if she (or he) doesn’t have a bag that’s going to be followed to death? These totes and shoulder numbers are going to be liked a lot.
Gucci
1 Rajah large canvas bag, $3,950, Gucci.
2 Rajah GG pattern tweed bag, $3,250, Gucci.
3 Embroidered Canvas Book tote (price unavailable), Christian Dior.
4 Large Runaway tote, $3,750, Fendi.
1 Boite Chapeau Souple bag in Monogram Geant, $3,600, Louis Vuitton.
2 Boy Chanel leather and metal cross-body, $7,680, Chanel.
Fendi
THE ALL BLACKS
Leather TB in S, $3,290, Burberry.
Just when women everywhere are embracing colour, fashion houses avoid the obvious by going back to black.
1 Lambskin waist bag with chains and glass pearls, $6,830, Chanel.
2 Calfskin Tri-pouch Saddle bag, $2,250, Christian Dior.
3 Leather bag, $3,780, Gucci.
4 Kan U lambskin cross-body, $3,990, Fendi.
5 Mon Tresor Selleria leather cross-body, $4,350, Fendi.
6 Gate S vegetal grained calfskin cross-body, $3,250, Loewe.
7 Double Baguette calfskin bag, (price unavailable), Fendi.
8 Calfskin bag, $3,280, Bottega Veneta.
9 Barcelona L-sized bag in vegetal grained calfskin, $4,550, Loewe.
10 Tassels shiny calfskin belt bag, $1,850, Celine.
THE WORKHORSES
1 City Steamer Mini bicolour leather bag, $4,900, Louis Vuitton.
2 Selleria Peekaboo X-lite Regular leather bag, $6,690, Fendi.
Fendi; Leather Society, $3,690, Burberry.
The top handle is the happy medium for its smart-yet-can-be-casual look. A medium size is ideal for professionals. Otherwise, go smaller.
Return of Black & Nude
The last time we saw this colour combo was on Chanel’s Classic bag in the ’90s. Who is having a field day with it? Vintage king Alessandro Michele of Gucci, who’s using the colourway on many of the brand’s bags (including GG Marmont and Zumi) and shoes.
1 Leather boots, $2,990.
2 Zumi leather top handle, $5,670.
3 GG Marmont leather cross-body, $3,270.
4 GG Marmont leather wallet bag, $2,480.
5 Zumi leather small shoulder bag, $4,120.
COORDINATION BRYAN GO; HSEAN THAM
