With florals blossoming again in the world of fashion, brands are again reinterpreting this timeless motif in creative ways
“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”
The terrifyingly fabulous editor in chief of Runway, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) from The Devil Wears Prada (2006), might not have been a fan of the theme, but there’s no denying that florals and spring are a natural pairing. And a long-standing one, too: floral patterns have been seen on garments from 12th century China, while floral motifs and brocade were popular in 18th century French fashion. And even though they wouldn’t have been as bold in their colours and textiles as in Bridgerton, summer walking dresses from the 19th century Regency Era were often adorned with floral embroidery.
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Fast forward to today, and flower motifs have continued to blossom in fashion and accessories. Trend forecasting company WGSN even identified it as a key trend for spring/summer 2022. And it’s only grown from there, as floral patterns continue to enjoy the limelight this year, boosted by the coquette core aesthetics.
So, perhaps Miranda Priestly was right and there is nothing groundbreaking about florals for spring; but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done well and with style.
For example, Loewe’s anthurium-inspired spring/summer 2023 show, which featured elaborate anthurium flowers made of fibreglass, stood out as a highlight of the season. Since then, several contemporary brands have also incorporated flowers in minimalist, maximalist, realistic and fantastical ways—here are some creative interpretations we love.
Unexpected pairings
Swedish brand Cecile Bahnsen has collaborated with footwear label Asics for its fall/winter 2023 capsule collection of sneakers that incorporates intricate floral applique in edgy grey, black or white trainers. The juxtaposition of flowers and functionality makes for a cool everyday footwear option with a whimsical twist.
Japanese brand Beams’ latest collaboration with sports gear company Salomon has also resulted in a contrast of floral motifs with sportswear. This spring-themed collection evokes a laidback vibe with its kitschy blossoms in pastel colours against a muted palette on Solomon’s slip-on shoes and signature sneakers.