Furthermore, fashion has focused on its more functional dimension, based on creations aimed at individuals who wish to respect the environment in their daily actions, based on life-styles centred around health and sustainability. In this respect, the trends for Autumn- Winter 2008/09 propose a diverse range of styles, such as moderate luxury, multi-ethnic combinations and second-hand approaches that represent a revival of a 1980's grunge style.
Following a highly contemporary season in Summer 2008, fashion will continue to look towards the future, although combined with a certain retro touch: it has returned to a punk style and a certain modest rock-star appeal; a new image has been discovered, one that recalls the visions propounded by VOGUE in the 1960's. Furthermore, a Modernist sense is accompanied by military or naval styles, whilst romantic styles are based on fairy-tales that evoke a combination of influences from the Middle Ages and a naïve folk approach. We will also come across a tribute to the beginnings of haute couture in Art Deco.
Materials
Bearing in mind the preservation of the environment, refined simplicity has become the key theme of the collections for Autumn-Winter 08/09, based on a preference for soft and natural materials, in different white and bright woolly shades. Wool has become the fibre of the season, although various new treatments are employed to facilitate its use in our daily lives.
The materials, which are extremely light and combined with other more voluminous and soft materials, are also twinned with strong fabrics, offering us protection on cold winter days. Thus is born a style that is somewhat archaic, a cocooning style that combines the fantasy of Mad Max with aspects taken from the Middles Ages and modern sculpture or sporting influences.
Colours
Based on all of these trends, a sense of opulence and sophistication becomes more evident. This leads to a return to the elegance of haute couture and an Art Deco inspiration, expressed by means of refined and perfect cuts in black and in bright single-tone colours, featuring glossy and shiny materials.
Black on black plays a prominent role, along with a highly glossy and metallic visual appeal, not to mention iridescent effects, combined with all kinds of cutting-edge and highly technological elements. However, these trends are also satirised by seductive and ultra-feminine looks.
For their part, young urbanites will enjoy a new version of the grunge look, based on "trash" details combined with a young punk style. Romanticism and modernised ethnic influences will also play an important role.
A sense of fantasy and imagination is essential when it comes to combining colours and materials, as well as creating unique forms and details. Each creation tells a story with a surprising twist. Everything seems to be designed to play around with our imagination.
Within this context of fashion and diversity, four thematic approaches will introduce us to the new season:
RESOLUTE FREEDOM
Grunge and military influences that are becoming increasingly visible in the world of architecture are also reflected in the universe of fashion and design. This is a youth-based, urban story, one that reflects sub-culture and the phenomenon of new philosophies arising out of street movements. We are faced with a form of urban romanticism, one that is new and extremely strange, the poetic dimension of poverty and, on occasion, a demonstration of an alternative style of life that is consciously adopted. Within the world of fashion, this translates into a commercial concept that combines "trash" aspects with ethnic and romantic influences.
PLEASANT PROTECTION
A new winter style has emerged, one in which wool creates mild and voluminous forms, along with synthetic quilted formats with a sporty touch, creations that are easy to wear. Authentic and imitation fur, downy felt, thick knitwear, reflective aluminium and neoprene-type materials will all predominate under this heading. In addition to white, the range of colours includes grey and beige, not to mention cold and natural shades. Silhouettes are sculptural, loose, rounded, straight- cut and trapezoidal. Some of them will reveal military influences. In order to decorate these designs, zips, studs and full shirt fronts are employed, which are sometimes completed with straps, belts and buckles. Knitwear items and almost-plain or slightly patterned textiles characterise this new way of dressing.
GENTLE SEVERITY
We will come across an austere, yet luxurious, style. Environmental aspects are combined with a feminine sense of expression and a slightly masculine appeal. In men's fashion, stylistic aspects are played down and compensated for by certain graphic details. The materials are soft and natural. However, on occasion, certain artificial elements are employed such as glass, paper, ultra-glossy satin and nylon. The most popular accessories are large buttons and belts. Luxurious materials are associated with a sense.
STYLISH SEDUCTION
On the path towards simplicity and a sense of naturalness, we come across a new type of elegance. At times we can observe Art Deco influences, inspired by the Parisian haute couture of the 1920's and 1930's, but updated and alternated with modern-day materials. The sophisticated range of materials includes extra-fine woollen textiles, thick silk, satin, crinkled wool and metallic elements.
The feminine and seductive dimension of the season is quite contemporary, based on the romantic appeal typical of fairy-tales. The colours can be very different, ranging from black on black to total colour, including faded colours and combinations of highly expressive shades. Embroidered effects and accessories are also colourful.
Press release
Iberpiel