Here at marie claire, we’ve been enamoured with the talent and creativity of the emerging and established designers at fashion month.
From New York to London, Milan and Paris, fashion’s elite presented their Spring/Summer 2022 collections to an adoring audience and although we couldn’t be there in person, we watched on virtually with hungry eyes.
Below, our team of fashion experts have revealed their favourite trends and styles from fashion month.
Nicky Briger – Editor
Fashion’s back and it couldn’t come soon enough! The Spring/Summer runways were awash with bold colour, modern sexiness, exquisite accessories and much-needed glamour. I inhaled it all – probably because I’ve been staring at my drab WFH wardrobe for an eternity – but my favourite standout look was the retro-inspired 60s styles seen at Dior, Max Mara and Chanel, in particular. Perhaps designers were harking back to better (virus-free) times when hemlines were high. Whatever the reason, I’ll be investing in a bold-hued mini-skirt and pair of metallic Mary Janes this summer.
Max Mara’s elevated workwear had a definite 60s vibe in fresh citrus hues from lemon, lime and mandarin to blood orange. I loved the short skirts and bandeau tops with boxy oversized jackets. The metallic espadrilles will be everywhere this summer.
Dior’s retro-style short suits in bold block colours were definite standouts this season. The pairing of orange with mauve was genius, and the multi-strapped Mary Janes will be a surefire hit for years to come.
At Chanel, the love affair with the swinging 60s continued with super-short suits, dresses and skirts adorned with cool jewels and single-strap Mary Janes. It was sophisticated yet sexy, playful yet elegant: such a clever, wearable collection.
Naomi Smith – Fashion Director
Overall I loved this more feminine season. The return to dressing closer to the body, the more considered outfits/looks, also the high heels, the neat handbags and the modern sexiness. There was a softness and lightness to everything, loved Loewe’s colour palette and elegance; it felt light and free. The open back details at Prada – so elegant.
I guess it was the first season for designers to show IRL, so for many, it is coming back with a statement of how lockdown has affected them and their creativity.
Definitely time to throw away your track pants, your oversized masculine looks, and the era of streetstyle madness seems to be thankfully over. Back to more put together looks, matching sets everywhere, I loved the soft buttery colours at Hermes, the shorter skirts, more skin on show but still very soft and elegant.
Teanne Vickers – Junior Fashion Editor
I think what I was most excited about seeing at fashion week was the different interpretations of post pandemic dressing. What stood out to me was the transition from high waisted garments that have tightly held us for some years now to hip baring low waist silhouettes.
I think it’s a part of a broader post pandemic trend which to me is about releasing fear of what others think and claiming back the body with revealing cuts and skin.
Although the return of the low waist is something I know many people fear, I think it’s something to be embraced. There is no time like the present to have fun with dressing up again.
Lucy Cocoran – Digital Lifestyle Editor
Much to my own surprise, my favourite trend (which came from Milan Fashion Week) would have to be crochet. Also known as ‘craftcore’, the trend made an appearance across several runways from Etro and Jil Sander to Alberta Ferretti and No.21. The homespun technique has undoubtedly made its way into mainstream fashion, and I’m all about it — it’s like the grown up version of the cutesy craft we’re all familiar with.
I loved the crocheted mini dress from the No.21 Spring ’22 Collection and the colourful crop top from the Marco Rambaldi Spring ’22 Collection. I think we’re going to be seeing a lot more crocheted pieces, especially as Australia moves into summer and we’re all about the beachy, lifestyle look.
Jess Pullar – Digital Culture Editor
As a 60s and 70s fiend, I was absolutely obsessed with all the retro, nostalgic references we saw at fashion month. After being stuck in lockdown for so long, a lot of us were looking back to “simpler times”—for designers, that meant turning their attention towards the free-spirited and liberated lifestyle that transformed fashion in those defining decades.
My favourite shows included Fendi with its disco, Studio 54 references, and Chanel, which was filled with classic silhouettes synonymous with the brand’s legacy—tweed two-pieces, mini dresses, swimsuits and a bunch of iconic black and white hues. I know what my summer wardrobe is going to look like…
Diandra Malivindi – Digital Beauty Writer
There’s something about an expertly crafted breastplate that has me head over heels. So of course, I thought Loewe’s metallic armour was the work of an innovative genius—and, well, even Zendaya agrees. A long overdue ode to subtle sexiness, the trend echoes a sci-fi retrospective on the corset, hinting at a figure without giving it all away. Quite frankly, the Spanish brand’s entire collection was inspired, emulating playful use of colour and risk-taking silhouettes—design ingenuity that others have previously neglected for minimalist trends sake. But now that abstract fashion is back on the menu, I, for one, will be first in line to also nab those crimson rose or melted candle heels.
Ava Gilchrist – Digital Fashion Writer
As a 90’s baby, my personal wardrobe is heavily influenced by the innate sexiness and intrinsic effortlessness of y2k style, so to my surprise and delight, when I saw Blumarine single handedly bring this pastiche trend to the international runway I knew I’d be buying the entire collection as soon as it hits stores.
Between the butterfly motif halter necks, the square framed sunglasses with ombré coloured lenses, almost nonexistent skirts, bandanas and faux fur trimmed cardigans, the best of the noughties is on full display and here to stay.
For some, this look may be a fashion faux pas, whilst for others it’s full of nostalgia and fun memories. Either way, this is the ultimate fashion comeback.
