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For Spring/Summer 2023, designers are adding drama to looks with purple, rather than easier, crowd-pleasing hues. The innocence of childhood has also emerged as an inspiration and an escape for our complex times. And for those ready to really get dressed up again, plenty of fresh, relaxed takes on old formal codes await you.
Violet streak
Credit: Alexander McQueen
Having first made its mark on everything from iPhones to high-end watches last year, purple continues to make its presence felt this season. With a spectrum of associations ranging from royalty to arrogance, the powerful hue can be found in a plethora of shades across several Spring/Summer collections.
Credit: Valentino
At Louis Vuitton’s runway show held in Paris last June, a dusty lilac softened casual, workwear-influenced ensembles, while jacquard coats bloomed dramatically with thistles in vibrant purple.
Credit: Giorgio Armani
In a sharp collection dominated by black and white, Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton used dashes of powdery mauve and blue to create monochromatic tailoring that stood out with an elegant whisper. At women’s collections, vibrant, love-it-or-hate-it violet was used to create looks as bold as they were elegant: These included the elaborately embellished frocks at Giorgio Armani as well as a sparkly pleated skirt at Valentino.
