Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Italian fashion house, Etro, has launched its autumn/ winter 2017/18 collection taking inspiration from both the ‘mystical power and natural beauty’ of mountains.
Creative director Kean Etro has focused on creating rich tactile sensations. Lushly soft velvets have heavy printing and floral coats and trousers are given a rough touch that challenge the classic luxury of the textile.
Soft wool jumpers are dyed with Shibori-style Japanese tie-dye, resulting in patterns and lines that resemble Barnett Newman paintings. Sumptuous, long wool coats are printed with foliage motifs, which are created using an innovative earth-based colouring derived from clay.
Cheeky bears, wise wolves and regal bucks - all mountain dwellers - make appearances on the backs, pockets and inner linings of the garments. Bright backpacks and hightech hiking boots round out the collection, all a mix of fabrics found throughout the rest of the pieces - like matelassé quilting techniques on a shoe’s upper.
Fabric typically used for neckties, woven tighter than normal to aid in water resistance, has been used for the panels of a backpack, which is complete with small chanting bells. Patchwork sleeping bags are worn as capes and are warm enough to fall asleep in under the stars on a mountain top, perhaps ideal for Bahrain this week!
Check out www.etro.com for more examples and see the reaction to the cold snap in The Whisperer and Youth Talk columns.
