The French Connection Of Spring/Summer 2011

YOU ARE WOMAN?

Spring is all about pared back, contemporary style. It’s clean, feminine and effortlessly elegant, capturing the best of chic Parisian fashion and 70’s Riviera chic with the right mix of preppy British influences.

The season starts in a classic colour palette of navy, white and cream highlighted with light blues and pinks.

White is the earliest trend to be seen with Broderie Anglaise and lace being key in simple yet stunning shift dresses.

Navy jumpsuits and pleated dresses are worn with suede fringed bags and wooden platforms. Pleats are an important detail for Spring seen on long sleeve romantic dresses, little skirts updated with confetti floral prints and chiffon summer dresses. Leather is love-worn in tan mini-skirts, shorts and cropped jackets.

As Spring evolves into summer a retro 70’s glamor is evoked channeling Bianca Jagger in St.Tropez. White tailored shorts are matched perfectly with a tuxedo style blazer, white dresses feature delicate layered frills of Broderie Anglais and vintage esq. embroidery on care free smocks. Traditional nautical stripes feature on cotton shorts with rope belts, shell printed playsuits and clean Breton stripe tops. Bold, color blocking and highlights of neon checks deliver one of the key looks from the catwalk and add an impactful clash of color to the paired back palette, on halter neck maxi dresses, western style shirts and breezy tie waist smocks.

Holiday wear continues the 70’s beach vibe with embroidered cheesecloth kaftans, strapless cut out swimsuits and printed halter neck bikinis.

YOU ARE MAN?

This Spring The Man heads into the warmer weather with a wardrobe of sophisticated yet fashion-forward looks that stay true to his rugged masculinity. French Connection features a classical neutral color palette punctuated with bold splashes of mustards, greens and reds taking inspiration from traditional British sports with collegiate stripes and polo player numbers scattered throughout the collection.

For high summer our Man settles on the Riviera with a wardrobe of sophisticated, simple pieces updated with subtle design tweaks. Nautical stripe tops are re-worked in vibrant colors and teamed with chino shorts for day, while the classic lightweight linen jacket has been updated with zip pocket details and a granddad collar to make it perfect for the cooler evenings.

For Spring 11 FCUK keeps the same masculine feel mixed with a strong workwear influence from the Dockside. Attention is paid to the way garments are used and worn every day by real men with real beards; fabrics and treatments give the collection an authentic finish, from bleached out seam details and traditional rivets, to dip-dye ginghams, vintage washed jeans and crumpled cotton jackets

Denim comes washed out and authentically destroyed, while utility style trousers are subtly distressed for a lived in feel; pair with a dip-dye gingham shirt or a weathered leather jacket to complete the look. Button down shirting and classic sweatshirts are updated with a bleached out indigo dye and sit alongside more technical, cycling inspired jackets which honor the workwear aesthetic with a functional design.

As spring turns to summer, FCUK moves away from workwear and draws inspiration from the relaxed ‘vibe’ of South East Asia. Ethnic graphics and traditional patterns are integrated throughout the collection on shorts, tees and shirts; while vibrant reds, yellows and blues add a splash of colour to the predominately neutral palette. Cotton utility shorts in checks and stone have been reworked with oversized cargo pockets and are worn with bold color zip through hoodies and stonewashed denim shirts for a relaxed take on summer dressing. Tees are emblazoned with retro signs and graphic prints to be layered under tribal shirting or stripe cardigans to give a relaxed yet eclectic pattern clash.