Breanna Wells 
The Spring/Summer fashion season of 2021-2022 brought new pieces of ready-to-wear unlike any other. Brands such as Versace and Miu Miu dominated much of the industry this summer with unique garments and handbags. Bright neon hues have been among some of the biggest colors seen this season. With this, many brands have also opted for more neutral tones with crisp whites and light patterns. Shows held this season have also seen a shift in creativity and theme as new artists and collaborations are on the rise. Thus, let us dive deeper into some of this summer’s hottest collections!
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, much of the industry was placed on hold; many questioned how fashion would be able to bounce back. However, as once quoted by famous photographer Bill Cunningham, “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” This past 2021/2022 fashion season has been filled with new designs and creativity, unlike any other. Vogue credited much of this season’s ongoing trends as “Micro Mania, Motorcycle Diaries, Color Me Free, and So Fresh, So Clean.” Diving deeper into these trends, we see a pattern of colorful pieces, while also carrying a reminiscent grunge style. Valentino and Bottega Veneta have taken bright green and raspberry-colored couture straight to the streets of Paris, bringing in a brightness of colors, counter to previous seasons. With this, leather pieces such as biker jackets have been omniscient with brands such as Acne Studios and Diesel releasing their own versions of classic jackets. Through a maze of bright colors, this season has also brought more subtle pieces with light blues and crisp whites, often styled by the European market. Net-a-Porter’s creative director, Elza Wandler was behind much of this season’s beige and light-colored pieces. “If summer could be typified by a single garment, it would undoubtedly be a crisp, cotton dress.” This summer has brought an array of colors to the fashion market with new concepts and ideas inspiring many of those active online to shift their wardrobe ensembles.
Social media has had an undeniable impact on the world of fashion in recent years. Pieces such as the Versace Medusa Platform Heels and even Miu Miu’s micro skirts have been among some of the many trending fashion items this season. According to Vogue, “The early aughts fervor was first ignited by Gen Z last year when they began rocking bootcut jeans and silk scarves as tops on TikTok– soon after, we saw the aesthetic pop up on the runways.” An upwards rise in the trend of Y2K-inspired pieces has allowed many designers to shift their ready-to-wear agenda. Miu Miu has taken the Y2K trend by storm with mini skirts, the size of a belt, and other pieces inspired by early 2000’s runways. Brands such as Juicy Couture have even made major comebacks this season with reinventions of the once iconic tracksuits. SKIMS, created by Kim Kardashian, have even developed their own versions of shapewear, reminding many of the infamous 2000’s body-con suits. Amidst the world of ready-to-wear, staple handbags have caused major buzz throughout the summer. Balenciaga released their now iconic Le Cagole bag back in the fall of 2021, and have grown in popularity this past summer. Celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner have been seen wearing this 2000’s off-the-shoulder-inspired bag. Many brands have caught on to this trend by releasing their own versions of these iconic handbags. Brands such as Coach and Dooney & Bourke released eye-catching bags at a reasonable price point for those looking to add this staple piece into their collection. Ultimately, much of this summer’s trends have been inspired by nostalgia and have opened the doors for new inspiration in upcoming fashion.
Much of this season’s runway shows have been filled with unexpected pieces and designs. One detail often overlooked is the imagery and inspiration put into a show’s locations and history. Yves Saint Laurent held its Spring/Summer men’s show in Morocco this past July. In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent first visited Marrakech, Morocco. According to GQ, “this place would become sacred to him for its sense of calm.” Nowadays, the home once owned by Yves Saint Laurent has been turned into a museum for many fashion lovers to view and explore. Therefore, when picking the location for the brand’s next show, YSL’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello knew that Morocco would be the best choice. In an interview by Paper Magazine, it is stated that “Vacerello was inspired by The Sheltering Sky, a 1949 existential novel set in North Africa.” The show brought classic tuxedos with different variations of styles, unlike the brand’s previous collections.
Another talking point this season was Fendi and Versace’s brand collaboration, Fendance. In an interview with Vogue, the two brand directors Donatella Versace and Kim Jones stated, “we wanted to do something celebratory that would also be a surprise–it’s about the beauty of togetherness after time apart.” The two brands were able to collaborate on a collection with recognizable prints and logos. One piece that took the fashion industry by storm was the Fendace Metal Mesh Mini Dress. This piece had a compromise of both Versace’s minimalistic style and Fendi’s iconic logo. The two brands are set to release another collection this coming Fall/Winter season. We can expect to see many new pieces as the next season of fashion approaches.
The fashion industry is always fluctuating between appealing to the public eye and incorporating staple pieces within their collections. This past summer season has proved just that, with innovations and collaborations unlike any other. With new trends on the rise, the fashion industry must keep up with what’s new online while also appealing to a market of consumers looking to purchase more timeless goods. As the new era of Fall/Winter fashion is upon us, will you be tuning into this next season’s ready-to-wear couture?
