Top 8 Spring/Summer trends from Paris/Milan Fashion Week

Two of the biggest fashion capitals in the world debuted their Spring/Summer 2021 collections in an array of socially distanced, digitally enhanced creative films and a few live runways in the past two weeks. Milan kicked off its fashion week last week while Paris opened on 28 September and will run until 6 October. Here are our top 8 trends from runways of Milan and Paris fashion week.

Fashionistas, bloggers and fashion writers all over the world had a very different experience of fashion week this year because of Covi19 restrictions. Some even admitted it was little more relaxed this year with a smaller amount of people attending live shows and many watching digital shows from social media.

Some designers chose to debut their collections in front of a few socially distanced crowds, some had their staff fill in the empty seats while others opted for creative films to showcase their latest collections. 

This year’s fashion weeks have exuded a sense of rebellion, hope, diversity and a slight nod to the avant-garde.

Here are our top 8 trends that we have seen on the Spring/Summer runways:

1. A bold colour clash

The world has definitely become a more sombre place since Covi19 hit but this does not mean we can’t still use colour to elevate our collective mood. Many designers such as Versace, Kenzo, Wales Bonner, Koché, Dior and many others delivered bold colour clashes with prints with exciting fabric choices on the runway. Expect this to be a staple in the coming year.

2. A nod to nature

From Kenzo’s fairy story in nature to Valentino’s bold floral prints and the eco-friendly message from so many designers, nature is a huge inspiration for summer/spring. We saw many looks embroidered with greenery and gorgeous florals including Ermanno Scervino’s monochromatic prints. Many designers even dropped the OTT personal invitations to fashion week for something a little more digital. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a very eco-conscious fashion world.

3. Sheer up sis

Sheer materials always bring a sense of sexiness and sensuality to any garment. It is no surprise we saw a lot of sheer fashion on the runways for spring/summer 2021. From Emilio Pucci, Act N°1, Sportmax and others, sheer designs are dominating the runway this year from different designers. Whether in dress form, trench coat, waistcoat, jumpsuit, pants or blouses, the sheer trend is not leaving the fashion world any time soon.

4. Pastels and Earthy Neutrals are it

Pastel colours and earth tones never really go out of fashion because they appeal to so many different people and fashion styles. This year’s spring/summer 2021 runways displayed a beautiful array of earth tones and pastel that were timeless. Just take a look at Fendi, Max Mara, Sportmax, Alberta Ferreti, Moschino, Valentino, Boss and Drome collections.

5. Leather and fetish forever

From Thebe Magugu’s leather harnesses, Dior’s leather waistcoat to Marine Serre’s tailored corporate cyborgs, leather and fetish material was well represented in subtle and OTT ways on this year's runways. We saw lots of leather dresses, skirts, tops and of course jackets that prove that leather is a material for any season.

6. Flowy and feminine

Summer 2021 is still embracing effortless expression of femininity and androgyny as seen by designers such as Alaïa. Summer dresses are the perfect go-to for any fashionista and Milan/Paris fashion weeks have re-iterated this. Designers like Dior, Fendi, Prada and Wales Bonner are amongst the few who showcased beautiful feminine silhouettes for Spring/Summer 2021.

7. Print for the win

This year’s Spring/Summer 2021 runways showcased a lot of bold and beautiful prints. From Versace’s surreal underwater theme to Dior’s floral and paisley, designers were not afraid to show print statement pieces. SA’s own Thebe Magugu’s apartheid era spy collection featured a mugshot on a cotton blouse and trompe-l’oeil polka dot pattern on a handkerchief hem dress that was made from fingerprints.

8. Whimsical fun

Sometimes fashion can provide the much needed fantasy and escape during a pandemic and this year’s runways delivered just that. Versace gave you underwater fantasy, Moschino took it a step further with puppets modeling the garments and some dressed as celebrities and fashion industry icons. Creative director, Jeremy Scott, enlisted the help of Jim Henson's Creature Shop (the special effects company founded by the famed Muppets puppeteer) to create a miniature set populated entirely by marionettes.