The passion of pre-fall

The passion of pre-fall

Spring/summer and autumn/winter are always big. They are major luxury fanfares for brands to demonstrate their creative majesty during which each and every single look is crafted with supreme attention and governed by domineering concept. There's a certain conceptual and aesthetic control for these two main collections, so much so that they're easily recognisable. Is that good? Yes, if you want choice of brand to be spotted right on. However, those who want something that lasts for years to come know the best time to invest is during the inter-season collections like resort and pre-fall for their lack of seasonal recognisability and timeless, wearable appeal.

The 1970s hippie/disco influence continues to loom large in the pre-fall as evidenced in the recurring light, floating maxi dress with plunging/halter neckline.

While resort, thanks to its long history closely related to the tradition of jet-setters to go on Christmas vacation to a warmer climate, is the more summery of the two, pre-fall somewhat embraces key elements from both seasons between which it's sandwiched, more often than not bridging the two by translating key summer looks into winter pieces and fabrics, with new interpretation on colour and silhouettes.

This year, the pre-fall clearly embraces spring/summer 2011's most prominent trend like colour blocking, with the difference being a more sophisticated, restrained palette as opposite to summer's explosion of bright and primary colours. In addition, we see colour blocking in much cleaner lines, a hint of the androgynous trend this coming autumn/winter.

Summer’s most prominent trend, colour blocking, is channelled into pre-fall collection in a subtler, deeper hues, with cleaner, more masculine lines.

Another major trend like 1970s continues to make a presence during pre-fall, but gone was the characteristically 1970s halter jumpsuit, substituted by a definitive disco/hippie evening ensemble like Boho maxi dress - turban, plunging neckline and flowing floor-length number a la Bianca Jagger. Interestingly, Bianca Jagger's influence continues to flourish in this coming autumn as well, albeit in her pioneering choice of tuxedo suit.

Orientalism is the last summer look that is freshened up for pre-fall, and let us tell you it's much, much more wearable and worth an investment than the sparkling kimonos and Cheongsam! Chanel's Byzantine-inspired look is perfected with the house's consummate craftsmanship and at Yves Saint Laurent, we have a Mandarin twist in black leather Cheongsam over knit.

Cape has for the past few years been a winter’s essential and several houses offer the item in pre-fall collection.

Foreshadowing the coming colder climate, a number of fashion houses feature cape motifs and yes, it's going to be something worth an investment considering its continuing appearance in the autumn/winter season for the past few years, and the variety offered by the piece, ranging from simple wool cape to cape coat and light, flirty cape dresses.

The pre-fall heralds a much more discreet treatment of oriental inspiration, be it the Chinese or the Byzantine motifs.