S/S Trend Report '08

All That Glitters…is gold.
S/S 08 collections were given the golden touch with a treasure chest of sequins, mirrored discs, chains, glitter and jewels burnishing dresses, coats, trousers and tops, shoes and bags.

Sexy and glamorous, gold sequins lit up almost every catwalk. My favourites were the Studio 54-esque items: Givenchy’s leggings, Jean Paul Gaultier’s sailor trousers, and Derek Lam’s dressing gown coat.
Givenchy S/S 08
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 08

Causing mass hysteria amongst shiny happy celebs like Ashley Olsen, were Missoni's dresses and waistcoats, given an extra dose of gilt with the occasional colours-of-the-rainbow jewel studded between luscious layers of gold and silver sequins.
Ashley Olsen in Missoni S/S 08

Silver was also present in Chanel’s Ice Queen themed couture collection; updating classic suits and coats, shimmering silver threads added interest to knits, while pure as snow white dresses were given a silver lining with a sequin trim, and models hair shone with glittery headbands and twinkling tiaras.
Gold chains, sparkling white jewels, glittery fabrics and silver knits gave an otherwise conservative collection youthful appeal aplenty at Moschino. Mirror discs and jewelled panels were all uniform and present at Armani Prive, Naeem Khan and Missoni, lending an understated layer of embellishment to gorgeous gowns and flirty frocks.
Moschino S/S 08

Lanvin was one of the few designers who chose to use sequins and shimmer to give further dimenison to drapes of black fabric, and sent a dress down the runway in this season’s favourite hue, yellow, dripping with sunshine coloured sequins and feathers.
Lanvin S/S 08

Taking their inspiration from the catwalks, high street stalwarts have embraced the trend with magpie-like enthusiasm, showering their collections with gold dust and attracting more attention than usual with their luminous styles. So while you may not have enough gold in your pocket to splurge on Gaultier, rest assured that Topshop have you covered (in gold).


If you prefer grosgrain to glitter, satin to sequins, and are less rock chick and more Pretty Ballerina then fear not.

Feminine and romantic styles made a comeback this season as ballet-inspired fashion and beauty floated up the runways to riotous applause. At once elegant, innocent and chic, ballerina style influenced many a S/S 08 catwalk and continues to dominate F/W 08 shows. Worn with blush pink tulle tutus at Blumarine, the dancer’s warm-up garment of choice the cardigan will take you nicely from summer into winter as a cute cover up. With summer fast approaching though, who wants to think about winter?
Let Pretty in Pink be your summer mantra as the colour was seen sweetening up Ruffian’s, Barbara Tfank’s, and Martin Grant’s collections, and adding a fabulous futuristic finish to Jil Sander’s sporty styles.
Molly Ringwald is Pretty in Pink
Martin Grant S/S 08

At Givency, dresses channelled Swan Lake with feathered skirts and ruffled tutus, finished off with ribbon-tie sandals. Lanvin also favoured feathers and strong, jewel colours found in Renoir’s ballerina paintings.
Givenchy S/S 08

At 3.1 Phillip Lim, the designer embraced off-duty dance wear, layering stretchy tube stops and tutus with sporty jackets in muted colours.
3.1 Phillip Lim S/S 08

Chanel returned to its roots with frilly and flouncy frocks paired with chic ballet flats.

Chanel S/S 08

Perhaps most noteable though, was the return of the dancer’s hairstyle of choice: the bun.

Worn towards the front of the head to give the appearance of a hat, the over-exaggerated bun was everywhere. So if ruffles, chiffon, tutus and pink are too girly for you, add a directional spin on the trend to your outfit with a giant messy bun, adorned with a sparkly gold bow. Two trends in one? My work is done.