The Color Of Money

The focus of the fashion world is on Spring 2021. Thus far, one of the biggest stories of the season is the embrace of escapism and joyful optimism in the form of exuberant color and pattern. It’s an obvious antidote to the somber mood that began with the onset of COVID-19 in March.

Fall officially arrives on Tuesday, September 22nd. The question is, “What are we going to wear right now?” The spring collections won’t be available for months, but the runways can still serve as an inspiration to spark a little joy. Let’s face it; we can all use a dose of happiness!

There is no label as synonymous with color and exuberant patterns as Emilio Pucci. You don’t need a reason or a special occasion to wear a boldly printed velvet Pucci maxi skirt. It would look great right now, paired with a black turtleneck, cropped puffer, and boots. This one, from the ’60s, is priced at $695 and for sale at 1stdibs.com.

Fashion is nothing if not cyclical, and the time is ripe for a Pucci revival. Coincidentally, Tomo Koizumi is designing a capsule collection for the storied house. The Tomo Koizumi x Pucci capsule collection will unveil in a movie during Milan fashion week on September 26th. The line will be available in March 2021 in Emilio Pucci boutiques worldwide and selected wholesale partners.

While details of the collection are not yet final, Pucci described the collaboration with the Japanese designer as a dialogue between its “clean and dynamic designs and Koizumi’s spectacular shapes” according to WWD. Tomo, who is known for his colorful confections, launched for Fall 2019 with a show held in the Marc Jacobs store’s basement on Madison Avenue. Koizumi presented his fantastical 2021 spring and bridal collection during NYFW.

Nothing is better in the fall than a graphic sweater. This fitted Balmain wool blend argyle striped pullover with gold buttons is classic, preppy, and distinctive. It sells for $1350 and is available at farfetch.com.

Many of the prints and patterns in spring 2021 runways shows are art inspired. You can’t get more iconic than this graphic Mondrian, which was immortalized by Yves Saint Laurent. LOQI’s Mondrian shopping bag, made of water-resistant polyester, is not only great looking but practical. It’s an easy way to add zest to an otherwise dull ensemble. Best of all, it only costs $12.99 and is available at amazon.com.

I dare you not to smile when you see this bright color-block combed cotton and elastane socks, a collaboration between Swedish brand Happy Socks and MoMA. The socks can be worn with sandals and shoes, and they are also perfect for lounging at home. This set of three pairs comes packaged in a custom box. Priced at $48, they are available at moma.org.

Designer look books and runways are always fertile ground for styling tricks. I love how Victoria Beckham uses a tan trench to offset her lime green trousers’ boldness that puddle to the floor. It’s something most of us can do by merely experimenting with our colorful pieces.

Color and pattern are handled exceedingly well at Colville. The eclectic British womenswear label was founded in 2018 by three fashion veterans: former Marni designers Molly Molloy and Kristin Forss and fashion stylist Lucinda Chambers, the British fashion director, designer, and stylist who worked at British Vogue for over 35 years. The trio’s culturally informed aesthetic and relaxed sporty attitude resonates for today.

The designers effectively take something as simple and basic as a crisp white shirt or white jeans and build an interesting look by adding a colorful or patterned sweater, blanket, bag, and graphic footwear. Again, this is relatively easy to replicate.

The artisanal handwoven bags used throughout Colville’s collections are produced by a Wayyu collective located in Colombia. Each one is highly distinctive and can rev up an outfit. They sell for $165 and are available at the Wayyu Tribe Store, wayyutribestore.com.

The sensational blankets and shawls in the Colville collection are locally sourced and dyed by the Tzotzil ethnic group in Mexico’s Chiapas region. While these specific iterations are not available right now, there are several shops on Etsy.com that sell similar versions. This one, from Fiesta Love Creations, is priced at $29.99.

Speaking of joyful, upbeat, and happy, do you know what put a smile on my face? Alber Elbaz has appointed Laurent Lamecaze as CEO of his fashion start-up, AZfashion (AlberelbaZ Fashion). He will help accelerate the launch slated for early 2021. While we don’t know the precise details, Alber has said he was committed to creating “meaningful products” and finding “wardrobe solutions” for women.

Throughout his career, Alber has shown to have an uncanny ability to tap into what women want. His proven skills at downplaying the luxurious, elevating the banal, infusing ease and comfort with a bit of glamour, are distinctly suited for this moment and beyond.

Alber’s vision is so prescient, so modern, and so consistent, just looking at his past collections for Lanvin, where he was head of design for 14 years, you can get a glimpse of what you are likely to see in the future.