THAT 70'S (RUNWAY) SHOW

GUCCI CROCHET DRESS - SS 2011- PH: YANNIS VLAMOS/ GORUNWAY.COMIf you follow fashion, it is no surprise to you that the decade designers are looking to as the key reference point for the Spring 2011 fashion is the 1970's.   While some styles from this granola loving decade are perennial items like platforms and wide leg pants, the runway shows for Spring brought out the true hippie dippy 70's.  The attention to detail and hand finished knits have a make love, not war feel to them as natural fibers and neutral colors make the perfect backdrop for pastel prints and powerful accessories.  Crochet and Macrame are excellent examples of a hand detailed, novelty process that are not often seen on a designer runway. DIOR HAND KNOTTED, SILK MACRAME DRESS - SUMMER 2011-PH: YANNIS VLAMOS / GORUNWAY.COM 

Some of the strongest examples were found on the Gucci, Ferragamo, Dior, & Ralph Lauren Runways.   Proof that the trend is represented in Italian, French, & American Collections.

FERRAGAMO HAND CROCHET DRESS SS 2011- PH: YANNIS VLAMOS / GORUNWAY.COMJohn Galliano at Dior took the use of color combos to the extreme for his Polynesian influenced show.  Of course Mr. Galliano took the handcrafted detail of the 70's to another level with hand knotted macrame throughout the collection.  Hair and make-up paid tribute to 50's pin-up icon Bettie Page.  Who else would feature an exotic Batik print on a finely tailored French jacket?  Galliano is in a category all by himself.   His creations lead the way in Paris season after season. CLASSIC CROCHET -RALPH LAUREN SS 2011- PH: MONICA FEUDI / GORUNWAY.COM Equally talented in Couture & RTW, the legacy of Christian Dior is in brilliant hands.    

Massimiliano Giornetti at Ferragamo gave an elegant interpretation of the sultry 70's detailing in his show in Milan.   Inspired by the iconic 1969 film "la Piscine" with Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, & Jane Birkin, the Ferragamo runway was awash with monochromatic ensembles that are Riviera Ready.   Giornetti has helped elevate Ferragamo's fashion presence since taking creative control of this chic Italian Mega-brand last year.    

DIOR BATIK PRINTED JACKET & HAND KNOTTED MACRAME SKIRT - SUMMER 2011 PH: YANNI VLAMOS/ GORUNWAY.COMBack in New York, Ralph Lauren looked to his own signature styling to mix LADY DIOR 'WATER PRINT" - DIOR SUMMER 2011crochet dresses back to Western inspired accessories and the classic Americana style he has built his empire on.

ACCESSORY HIGHLIGHT:  The chicest bag on the Paris runways was the latest version of the Iconic Lady Dior Bag.   The optic water print was dominant in the RTW collection and found itself on the Lady Dior.  The blue and white print is meant to resemble the sun glistening on the ocean - the ultimate accessory for this tropical fantasy of Dior Summer 2011.

Be prepared to get your Mrs. Roper groove on -that's right, the CAFTAN is also back - I'll have an update with pics of the best..stay tuned!!