The concept of women’s fashion was revolutionized in the 1920s.
The 20s introduced a sense of liberation and boldness to the aesthetics of fashion, breaking with pre-established rules. Women shifted from the restriction of corsets to the comfort of loose fitting dresses, shortened the hem to the knee, took their heels to new heights and dared to sport shorter haircuts. All these changes ushered a new culture of freedom: the beginning of the modern woman.
Coco Chanel, one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, established a brand with iconic style that redefined the way we look at fashion, and Karl Lagerfeld—its current creative director—has maintained the essence featuring loose silhouette, with feathers and fringe evocative of the flapper: those majestic femmes with a spirit of liberation that began to change the world for women.
For their Fall 2017 collections, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel proved that the success of a firm is intrinsically linked to the details; headpieces are no longer exclusive to parties, and combining them with casual pieces can offer the touch of glamor that we need to stand out.
Clutches, also characteristic of the time, have become an essential accessory for any occasion. Designers like Oscar de la Renta and Marchesa incorporated them onto their runways making us very giddy. Jeans, paired with stilettos and a blouse are a perfect daytime outfit, but adding a statement clutch can take us from day directly into an evening out. And isn’t that exactly what today’s woman is looking for? Practical accessories that allow us to move from work to play.
From 2017 and 2018 we are seeing many unexpected changes, fashion included. Women will continue to want to feel beautiful and liberated, but we also want to bring back some glamor. ■
