From print-mania handbags to architecturally wondrous heels, which SS15 accessory trend suits your summer?
By Natalie Trevis
Head to Toe
The fashion pack no longer adheres to such outdated commandments as matching shoes to handbags – instead, this season the collections took us one step further. The bold prints of SS15 made an impact when worn head-to-toe but also head-to-handbag. Accessories took a playful turn in the hands of Valentino, Simone Rocha and Tory Burch, with eye-popping printed bags that camouflaged neatly into their matching counterpart outfits. It’s a brave new world of summer print, embellishment and colour, perfect for any summer sojourn.
From L to R: Valentino, Tory Burch, House of Holland, Carven, Simone Rocha and Moschino. Images courtesy of Gorunway.^
Chain Gang
Alongside chunky resin bangles and asymmetric earrings, another jewellery trend emerged: the stacked chain bracelet. We’ve seen oversized hardware at the neck in recent collections and now the wrist takes centre stage, as links in a variety of materials were stacked with abandon. Gucci’s signature horsebit provided a note of simplicity against a heavily textured collection embracing the everyday luxury of the Seventies, while rustic chainmail provided an antidote to Giorgio Armani’s neutral silks.
From L to R: Alexis Mabille, Dior, Veronique Leroy, Giorgio Armani, Balenciaga and Gucci. Images courtesy of Gorunway.^
Architectural Art
Sculptural heels added an architectural edge to our spring/summer wardrobe goals, taking on a height and structure that is Frank Gehry-worthy. Louis Vuitton worked the trend into slim fit boots in the lightest of eel skins and with heels shaped into a four-point star. On a sportier note, Alexander Wang played with the proportions of the ubiquitous wedge heel, turning it into a thing of futuristic beauty. Join in and construct your look from the ground up.
From L to R: JW Anderson, Alexander Wang, Acne, Jil Sander, Giambattista Valli and Louis Vuitton. Images courtesy of Gorunway.^
Bucket List
Practical, with a nonchalant, slouchy twist: The short-handled bucket bag is back in rotation as one of the most popular handbag silhouettes of the season. Most notably rendered in suede (Loewe and Gucci) and almost always in neutral tones, luxurious fabrics were allowed to prevail (snakeskin in the case of Giorgio Armani). Pleasingly fuss-free and with enough room for all your summer essentials, it’s the ideal carry-on handbag.
From L to R: Nina Ricci, Salvatore Ferragamo, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Tory Burch, Giorgio Armani and Loewe. Images courtesy of Gorunway.^
Lace It Up
The gladiator sandal doesn’t slip too far from our thoughts when contemplating summer shoes and SS15 is no exception. Exaggerated this time around, the winding leather bindings of the gladiator reach the knee for added impact. Alexander McQueen took the footwear away from its traditional Greek mythology and towards a dark orientalism inspired by the Japanese geta while Tibi remained at the opposite end of the spectrum, executing the gladiator in a modern minimalist form. Whichever way you wear them, the gladiator sandal is more than just a one-summer romance.
