’70S CHIC
The Look for Fall ’15
Blame it on Nicolas Ghesquière, but the ’70s are back—and they are ever so chic.
The designer’s debut collection for Louis Vuitton reignited the era, and many designers are channeling the ’70s for Fall. From Gypset Chic to Studio 54 Glam and Le Smoking, LA-based designers are
re-creating the era—many with a Cali-inspired aesthetic.
Flares, fringe, fur and freedom of expression are key themes of the season. Think ’70s icons such as Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger, Ali MacGraw and Stevie Nicks to get the “of the moment” look.
“The ’70s is a huge trend right now—making old new again,” said designer Cynthia Vincent. For Fall ’15, Vincent was inspired by a trip to the Pacific Northwest.
During a train ride up the coast with her daughter, she was enamored by the magnificence of “The Avenue of The Giants” in Humbolt Redwoods State Park. She incorporated ’70s styles such as printed handkerchief midi-length dresses and oversized cozy sweaters into her collection. Vincent said that retailers have been drawn to ponchos, embroidery, fringe, midi-length dresses and floral prints.
Rachel Pally also drew from her California roots. She said she combined “the silhouettes of the ’70s—billowy-sleeved maxi dresses, high-waist wide-leg pants (long or cropped!), velvet bell-bottoms and plush, loopy sweaters—merged with the colors of the California coast: pine trees, ocean views and saturated sunsets of Big Sur.” Cropped gauchos, Pally said, will be a big trend moving forward.
Trina Turk also ventured north to find inspiration—but in the multi-cultural city landscape of San Francisco and its environs.
“From the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of Fine Arts to the Marin headlands and up the redwood coast, Northern California captivates with an eclectic blend of bohemian and cutting edge,” Turk said. “Fall is all about adding the extra piece for a mixed-media effect of pattern, surface interest and color. It could be a poncho, fabulous faux fur, fearless plaid or tonally textured coats—we are all about layer-on-layer this season,” she explained.
Layering—especially outerwear—is also key for Sam & Lavi. Co-owner and designer Lavi Mirzak created the collection’s modern ’70s look by juxtaposing tailored, structured pieces with bohemian, hippie-chic looks. Flowy dresses are paired with long lamb’s-wool vests, cozy yak sweaters with asymmetrical A-line skirts and flared, tailored trousers with bohemian print blouses.
A.moss’ Fall collection was influenced by the ’70s and ‘90s as well as a variety of cultural references. “[The ’70s look] evolved from the romantic notion and bohemian vibe of [Spring/Summer] 2015 to a more streamlined and sophisticated aesthetic with an air of glamor,” said designer Sebastian Truong.
Fur—either real or faux, Truong said—is at the top of the “must-have” list for Fall, and long-over-long silhouettes are important.
Key trends also include sartorial tailoring, elongated, oversized jackets and cropped as well as floor-sweeping wide-leg trousers.
Menswear inspiration à la “Le Smoking” is also strong this season. For Anthony Franco, the tailored silhouette, whether a men’s-inspired suit or a fitted bodice on a dress or gown, is important.
“I think the return of the trouser for women is huge right now,” he explained. “Fuller cuts and fitted waists are going to be seen more this season,” he added.
Again designer Amber Kekich was also inspired by retro style, a signature of the collection.
“Again is always inspired by silhouettes and women from the past, and I have always been fascinated with time,” Kekich explained. “[This season] we went back to when women started wearing suits and became more tailored. We pictured the smell of a bearded man sipping a whiskey and the powerful woman standing beside him.”
It wouldn’t be the ’70s without a free-spirited attitude. For tbagslosangeles designer Shadi Askari-Farhat, inspiration came from “a strong and deeply free-spirited woman whose expression extends beyond her attitude and directly into the clothes that she wears.”
She paid homage to the ’70s with a combination of ’70s rock-star looks and modern bohemia with knits, long vests, ponchos, fringe details and a touch of prairie.
AS by DF designer Denise Focil said the life of the gypset inspired her this season.
Luxury and freedom are key themes of the collection, which includes relaxed silhouettes, fringe, leather and suede in a palette of oxblood wine, military green and gray.
For her ASTARS collection, the concepts of bohemian luxury and wanderlust are the focus. She included flares, vegan leather and specialty knitwear. “The bigger the flare, the better,” Focil said.
