Surface Detail
FALL FASHION 2014 > Surface Detail
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In fashion, more so than any other industry, the details are everything. Designers know full well that an inventive surface detail or a well-executed fabric treatment can make or break a piece’s it-status. But embellishment is so much more than a bejewelled collar or accent pocket — ingenuity is key.
Sequins are a natural first choice for enriching a fabric’s surface. Tom Ford and Saint Laurent both offered up rock glam collections with each giving their own sassy spin on the sequined dress for Fall 2014. Meanwhile Louis Vuitton’s sequined mini dress was decidedly more demure with the miniscule hand-sewn paillettes creating a wonderfully rich surface.
In the more surreal realm of things, several design houses chose to stray from the norm and used more unusual materials. Kenzo embellished their sweater with lines of little plastic tripods, creating a scale-like effect. Gareth Pugh went for layers of white plastic squares in a playful riff on the classic sequinned texture, giving it a mod feel. No. 21’s faded plaid to fur jacket is a modern marvel thanks to the masterfully fine weave, blurring the line between surface detail and mere fabric. Dior brought some athleticism to their collection with a quirky baseball lace down one of the front seams of a midnight blue cocktail dress and several quilted dresses, giving surface details a layered meaning. Emporio Armani used quilting in their highlighter blue jacket to create a mock-alligator skin finish.
The natural world is a strong theme for embellishment for Fall 2014. Anything goes, from Dior’s flowering vine on lattice shoes to Dries Van Noten’s massive over-the-shoulder lily brooch all the way back to Alberta Ferretti’s feathered dress spectacular. And just in case you need a little bling with your nature Dolce & Gabbana has just the thing with their bejewelled hood, continuing the flowery fabric below upwards. Diamonds, after all, are the best kind of embellishment.
