It’s the clashing colour combination for years touted as an aesthetic abomination - the unbreakable fashion rule your mother warned you against. But pink and red are surprisingly complimentary, and the unexpected combination is being put forth by designers and stylists as the epitome of new-season cool. While pink has been creeping in for a few seasons, it has reached fever pitch and is likely to drop out of style after this summer. Red is also having a moment of its own - and many designers presented head to toe looks in pink and red respectively. However, it was the combination of red and pink which has caught the imagination of designers this season. If you aren’t pairing pink with red is it even Spring Summer 2018?
Juicy Couture has departed the bargain bin and your nostalgic 2000’s eBay wishlist to spring up unexpectedly in the realms of high fashion. If you’re surprised, you wouldn’t be the only one. After a high-profile collaboration with Vetements for Spring/Summer 2017, the brand stepped out on their own at New York Fashion Week with a show at the Rockefeller Centre attended by Paris Hilton (appropriate, no?). Instead of going full steam ahead with the aughts resurgence, creative director Jamie Mizrahi showed 70’s influences, as well as garments which referenced the iconic Juicy tracksuit. The youthful, zingy colour palette consisted of sky blues, neon greens, crisp whites and bubblegum pinks. The collection was uncharacteristically refined - including maxi dresses, pussy bow blouses and midi skirts printed with ladylike polka dots in contrasting Resene Azalea pink and red.
Plastic fantastic! Burberry presented sheer layers of matte plastic sewn into skirts and jackets gave the Fall/Winter 2018 See Now/Buy Now collection the look of trans-seasonal layering and functionality. Thick knits in rich crimson and red tones gave the collection a laid-back, handmade feel. Tartans, loose-fitting trench coats and argyle knit socks added to the traditional British look. Accessories were styled to give the heritage house’s show a new-season aesthetic; which was mainly felt through summery sandals layered over thick socks, and tartan baseball caps. The palette was winter appropriate; with deeper purples, browns, turquoise and blues. Pink made a rare appearance in a hue similar to Resene New York Pink in the form of a faux fur jacket accessorised with a contrasting red tartan tote bag and red socks.
Prabal Gurung’s collection was shiny and chic on the surface, with floaty garments and bold hues. However, look closer and the collection centred around deconstruction. Garments held together with unexpected horizontal seams, rows of buttons which were half undone, and holes in the middle of garments. Behind the of-the-moment palette, there was a subtly garish air, brought about through the use of shiny metallic fabrics, lines of beaded fringing and loud florals patterns covering full-length garments. Sculptural draping and tucking added a 2000’s red carpet feel. Red and crimson (close to Resene Cabaret) slipped together on sheer, floor-length gowns.
Woven headwear is everywhere for this summer (for more see Essential Stock), and Delpozo created yet more must-have, new-season head accessories. Their raffia bows perched on the heads of models were quirky and fresh. Delpozo played with colour combinations, not just in styling but also in their garment design. Unmissable neon hues were paired together; mint with sky blue, yellow with two differing shades of light blue, and - you guessed it - red and pink (close to Resene Cupid). Aside from the colours, the designs themselves were soft and reserved, full of vintage hemlines and shapes. Wide ruffles and dashes of dramatic construction gave the collection somewhat of a maximalist look.
Oscar de la Renta served up splashes of colour in bold combinations, which were wearable but still firmly in the vein of high-fashion. The whole collection had a New York feel, with elements that were youthful (oversized parkas and t-shirts layered under ball gowns) combined with the whimsy and extravagance typical of the brand. In many ways, the collection was a sleeker, more modern version of de la Renta’s usual fare, and the colours used played a significant role in keeping the collection current. The pinks were bold, and a pink suit close to Resene Hopbush- a look which has been seen across multiple collections - was layered atop a sequined corset top. Racy for de la Renta.
Garish tones of red and pink were boldly colour blocked at Zero + Maria Cornejo’s Spring/Summer 2018 show. A hue close to Resene Smitten mixed with neon red - which transitioned into monochromes and closed with a return to clashing red and pink stripes. Loose-fitting shapes which swamped models’ frames were accented with thick ruching - giving the silk fabrics unexpected volume and movement.
Brandon Maxwell showed 2000’s Barbie vibes, with a palette built around varying shades of pink combined with mid-wash denim and pops of red. The girly, millennium aesthetic came through in belted blazers styled with flared jeans, halter neck tops and structured handbags. White, black, buttercup yellow and both bold and soft pinks (akin to Resene Pink Lace) were colour-blocked in head-to-toe looks which were striking and yet classic. Out of the context of a fashion show, Maxwell’s designs are wearable and female-friendly, sure to be best sellers for luxury consumers.
Silky pyjama-inspired garments were the order of the day at Sies Marjan Spring/Summer 2018. The collection was a mixture of pastels; mint paired with lavender, rust with lemon yellow and sky blue striped with red. Marjan played with draping and garments were softly folded into themselves as if tucked in by accident or twisted around the body in a seemingly natural shape. Garments themselves had an airy feel and blurred together leisurewear and daywear. Pops of neon broke up Marjan’s pastel palette, including a brilliant neon red fur jacket layered over a peach silk dress in Resene Sweet Pink.
