Blossoming Romance

Cheeky prints, flirty hemlines and diaphanous fabrics: all frequent staples of the resort shows and reasons why clothes from these collections fly off the shelves faster than any others. Resort is all about easy, summery style, and for 2011 this was reflected in a sizable display of florals. Several brands went the traditional, ultra feminine route: Chanel fielded ethereal floor-length gowns, some complete with tiered ruffles, while Marc Jacobs showed soft appliqué lace-flowered mini dresses. Others gave the look a vintage twist, namely Miuccia Prada (who showed an array of printed tea dresses reminiscent of Celia Birtwell’s creations for Ossie Clarke) and Louis Vuitton (where Marc Jacobs riffed on fall’s 50s silhouette with bold floral, bustier-topped dresses). Designers opting for a more modern approach to blossoms included Stella McCartney, where botanical illustrations were emblazoned across stiff, round-shouldered jackets and tunic dresses, and Jonathan Saunders, who eschewed his usual abstracts for dense floral-patterned shirts set against monochromatic blocked dresses––perfect for those who want to indulge their girly side without losing their edge.