Miranda Priestly is arguably the most feared editor in fiction and on the big screen. Those pursed lips. Those evil glances. Those epic takedowns. Priestly's most infamous burn is probably in response to a suggestion that flowers are well-suited to spring. Her retort? "Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking." In fact, the character and that put-down left such an indelible mark that fashion kind of shied away from using flowers for a period.
Things have changed and now fashion houses are trying to prove her wrong. Take Burberry for instance. When you hear the word Burberry, your mind immediately thinks of those instantly identifiable checks. Long associated with the brand, the pattern is now synonymous with luxury. (Although we're not 100 percent sure Priestly would approve.) Everyone longs to have at least one checked piece in their collections, even if it's just a scarf or an umbrella. But there's more to Burberry than checks. A lot more.
All you have to do is look at the brand's latest Highgrove collection. Highgrove, the private residence of King Charles III, partnered with the British label on two previous occasions on a selection of colorful silk scarves. The new batch of scarves is "inspired by the enchanting wildflower meadow." There are four limited-edition organic Mulberry silk scarves with hand-rolled edges, each a veritable masterpiece.
Artist Holly Mills drew the beautiful artwork over the summer when the gardens are in full bloom. Which is why their especially colorful this time around. Prices range from $220 to $520. If you're hesitating about dropping hundreds of dollars on a scarf that doesn't scream Burberry, relax. The sales support The King's Foundation, which builds and supports communities where people and the planet can peacefully coexist.
But wait, there's more. The collection also includes two trenches, natch. On the outside they look like your classic go-to. On the inside, however, the linings replicate the scarves' vibrant blossoms. So when you take one on and off, everyone around will see how special these trenches really are. Since they are so special, they each cost $3,550. Top one off with one of the scarves and you'll be the epitome of spring and/or summer.
Another way to up your spring florals game? Take cues from the Spring 2024 runways, of course. Instead of your typical, seasonally-appropriate bouquets, designers took a more radical approach. They focused on 3-D incarnations to great effect. We can't decide whether to crown Simone Rocha Queen of Bows or Queen of Flowers. For Spring 2024, we'll go with the latter. One of the ways Rocha brought her blooms to life is via a semi-sheer dress where it looked like the roses had just been plucked and placed in said dress.
Balmain almost has a garden growing out of some of its creations. A few blooms even decorated collarbones. Rosette accents are still around and Blumarine is helping fuel their staying power. Marni really went all out with dresses boasting floral art installations up front. Maybe not the most wearable options, but definitely worth fantasizing over. Meanwhile, Loewe and Chloe favored more abstract arrangements. Pierpaolo Piccioli, back when he was still at the helm of Valentino, delivered bright-white, laser-cut flowers on minidresses that helped kick off the house's Spring 2024 runway show. Looking for something that looks more homemade? See Etro's artsy-craftsy sweaters. Pair with micro shorts, aka the no pants look, and you're good to go.
So the bottom line is feel free to have fun with florals and don't fear Priestly's wrath. She isn't real anyway.
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