Joseph Altuzarra’s take on SS16 was rich in texture, hot on colour and high on his signature sultry silhouette.
1) It’s Basque, baby: ‘This season began as an exploration of my Basque heritage,’ began Joseph Altuzarra’s show notes. Think raw, crinkled linens and dip-dyed colour but cast in the designer’s sexy, slithering shapes.
2) Orange: Altuzarra isn’t known for knock-you-out colour, so it was refreshing to see pops of it here. The best danger orange came in the form of a feminine trouser suit, cutting a swathe through the neutral linens.
3) Espadrilles: not the most adventurous idea for summer footwear, you’re thinking, but Altuzarra’s take made you rethink. Heels? Indeed. After seasons of flats, these ankle-binding numbers made a convincing proposition for elevation come next summer.
4) Broderie Anglaise: This is what he called it, but it didn’t look anything like your archetypal hole-punched, crisply laundered cotton. Here, it was practically transparent, so delicate, in those finale dresses that sheathed the body, handstitched with mother of pearl and wooden beads.
5) The Linen Work Suit: Maybe your worst nightmare, the idea of working in a suit cut from wrinkle-loving fabric, but the cut on this black number might make you recast your vote.
6) The Ghianda bag: Altuzarra’s trademark bags now come in a shoulder-strapped style and tote. They have plaited straps and leather tassels. If the term ‘it’ bag was still relevant, it would apply here.
