As we step into summer, high fashion can teach us a lot about what trends will be set for this season. Each show brought its unique flair, offering a diverse palette of styles, colours, and fabrics that reflect the creative vision of the designers. Here's an analysis of the standout trends and what SS24 has taught us about what's in this summer (as well as my favourite pieces.
Miu Miu's SS24 collection was a vibrant celebration of contrasts and playful sophistication. The show brought stars like Emma Chamberlain, Alisha Boe and Paris Hilton to the front row, who luckily witnessed the ethereal show brought by Qatari-American designer Sophia Al-Maria.
Bold hues contrasted with dark tones, with navy being the dominant colour, creating a dynamic and eye-catching palette. Polo tops paired with the iconic Miu Miu low-rise, short shorts offered a fresh take on gender-fluid fashion, demonstrating the magic of incorporating and contrasting brighter hues with darker tones. The collection balances playful and sophisticated elements, showing Miu Miu’s experimentation with sophistication and youthfulness in fashion.
Miu Miu SS24 also showed us the power of layering, shown in an ‘avant-garde-esque’ gold dress. Contrasting to the consistent blue and navy underlayer, the gold dress, along with other pieces in the collection truly sells the method of layering. If you live in a place where summers are not as hot as Los Angeles and the weather may be inconsistent throughout the summer months, Miu Miu’s methods of layering the European way are noteworthy.
Gabriela Hearst’s vision for Chloé SS24 was a serene blend of bohemian elegance and timeless femininity. The show, held in September 2023, brought a sense of romantic nostalgia with a modern twist. I mean who doesn't want to look like a fairy princess in summer?
Dominant themes included florals and a palette of whites, embodying a summer of purity, freshness and freedom, letting room for the warm summer air to flow. I could identify a Chloé collection from anywhere with their iconic 70s bohemian chic aesthetic. You can count on Chloé to know how to make a simplistic white fabric into a stunning piece. I know that this collection has truly sold lace pieces for me this summer.
Fendi’s SS24 collection was a masterclass in avant-garde design, blending geometric tailoring with a vibrant colour palette inspired by the 60s.
Kim Jones’ Geometric Tailoring is sharp, and these structured designs showcase the brand's innovative approach to tailoring. Like Miu Miu, we see pops of colour like light blues, oranges, greys, and browns creating a visually stimulating collection and showing Fendi’s 60s approach to the summer. There is also a masculine/feminine blend shown by flowy and light fabrics balanced with structured, masculine cuts. As noted by Andrea Sacal in a “Hypebeast” article, the Fendi woman is “elegant, refined, and always on the go” and this is accurately showcased by Kim Jones herself, giving a glimpse of eveningwear and glamorous daytime pieces that will be used as inspiration this summer.
Stella McCartney's SS24 collection continued her commitment to sustainable fashion, featuring an variety of materials and textures that were both innovative and eco-friendly. This is by far my favourite runway collection for SS24.
A common aspect of this collection is the inclusion of denim and trench coats. These staples were reimagined with modern twists, including sheer fabrics and floral embroidery. Denim and trench coats are such an essential in Northern European fashion, especially in cities like London, Stockholm and Paris.
Pieces in this collection also included shimmer and silver detailing, catching the light of summer on their light and airy pieces.
As I reflect on these collections, I find myself drawn to the vibrant contrasts and eclectic mix of styles that define this season. The bold pops of colour at Miu Miu speak to the inner daredevil, encouraging us to break free from the mundane. Meanwhile, the romantic pieces of Chloé's bohemian silhouettes resonate with my soul, reminding me of lazy summer days and carefree wanderings. Let's bring on the summer wardrobe!