Along with crocuses and daffodils comes another surefire sign of spring: florals in fashion.
The garden-party look is a seasonal classic, but there’s been some updating this season.
Look for artistic — almost abstract — brushstroke technique, or realistic, photo-style prints. Other twists include tulip-style hemlines and fabric petals adorning everything from tank tops to ballgowns.
Flowers, designers say, are an endless source of inspiration because of their delicacy, femininity and beauty. And it turns out many fashion insiders are gardeners (or aspiring gardeners), too.
We asked designers who are offering florals in their spring collections about their favorite flowers:
Janie Schoenborn, Lilly Pulitzer
Coming from a long line of gardeners — her father has a degree in landscape design, mom has a traditional English garden — Schoenborn is trying to keep up the tradition with lilacs and syringas.
She hasn’t done a lilac print for Lilly Pulitzer, but a shade of lavender was just added to the label’s palette so it probably won’t be long until she tries one.
Carmen Marc Valvo
Flowers creep into his clothes all the time, but there have been two specific flower-themed runway shows. One came after his treatment for cancer six years ago. He saw the rebirth of his peony trees as a hopeful sign, so he used pinks, chiffon petals and “dewdrops” of crystals.
Tracy Reese
Peonies are also a favorite for Reese. She says she likes that they evolve from such a compact ball into lovely layers as they blossom.
Reese doesn’t restrict herself to springtime blooms. Her fall collection, just previewed at New York Fashion Week, will incorporate florals.
Shoshanna Lonstein
You won’t find watercolor florals in her designs, but every collection has florals, including one Lily of the Valley print that was fashioned after her wedding bouquet. She says florals look chic and sophisticated when they’re anchored with black or on tailored pieces.
LeAnn Nealz, American Eagle
Nealz says she loves white magnolias for their “intoxicating scent,” but ranunculus are her favorites because they’re so cheerful. Nealz interpreted sweet, small florals for spring onto a flirty daytime skirt as well as a day-to-night minidress. She used a more tropical flower for menswear on board shorts, too.
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