There is a moment in a woman’s life when she is greeted with a re-emerging trend she would happily have forgotten forever.
As a best-case scenario and a rule of thumb, the fashion cycle says she will get a full 20 years before the inevitable occurs, which had me thinking I had a few years to go before I was forced to revisit the dire fashions of the early 2000s. Alas, no such luck.
As I look through this issue of Fashion Quarterly I’m hit by waves of anxiety, horror and – okay I’ll admit it – nostalgia, as page after page confirms that the 2000s redux is here. Too soon, you cry? Well, so did we. But taking in the spring/summer 2017 shows where the runways were replete with white, pedal pusher-esque cropped trousers (Dior), and spaghetti strap, halter-neck, handkerchief-hem dresses (Balenciaga), I confess I got a little excited about the prospect of experimenting with fashion’s past. The good news is that these looks and the various ways to wear them are still fresh in our memories. The even better news is that if you’re of a certain vintage, the chances of shopping from your own wardrobe back-catalogue are high. And if you’re still feeling uncertain, let Phoebe Watt decode the trend for you in ‘A New Millenium?’ (page 38).
If you can’t be convinced that Ralph Lauren SS17 is any better than Destiny’s Child’s homemade costumes circa 2001, you could always try another trend back by popular demand: colour blocking. Arguably this season’s strongest look, the key to colour blocking is vibrant, mood-enhancing hues worn in unexpected combinations. Perfect for the end of year party season, be sure to check out our ‘Clash’ editorial (page 94) for inspiration. Elsewhere in fashion we pay homage to the late, great, fashion photographer, Helmut Newton, while showcasing the latest in swimwear (page 82), and in our annual men’s report we talk fashion off the field with All Black darling, Beauden Barrett (page 146).
Beauty this season is all about glowing skin and tousled beachy waves, however with the arrival of summer also comes a few beauty challenges. This issue we tackle pigmentation, hunt out the best tanning products and discover tricks to dealing with humidity. We also sit down with fashion and fragrance masters Viktor & Rolf (page 139) and talk flowers, aggression and why their 11-year-old perfume is still a best-seller.
And of course, with Christmas just around the corner, we have searched high and low to compile the best gifts on offer (pages 44-50 and 176-178). We hope this takes the guesswork out of shopping for your nearest and dearest, and with any luck, you’ll find a few treats for yourself as well.
