Fashion Rewind: AW2018 - Fashion and Female Empowerment

This week we're taking a stroll down memory lane to an article that we wrote back in 2018, a momentous year for women's rights and female empowerment. Our article took a look at the fashion trends across the Autumn/Winter catwalk that year and how the social and political climate dictated some of the designs on show.

This article was written in the summer of 2018.

In a year where female empowerment is at the forefront of people’s minds, and when the current social and political climate dictates the need for an even greater strive towards equality and representation of diversity; it seems only fitting that the latest fashion trends should serve as a mirror, reflecting the age in which we find ourselves.

As such, this year’s autumn/winter collections are all about making a statement. From high-street to high-end, this year’s catwalk has highlighted the fashion world’s own homage to the world’s current socio-political attitudes; of empowerment, of diversity and of strength. This autumn and winter expect to see the dominance of statement pieces: be it daring cuts, bright colours or bold patterns; designers have really drawn on influences from outside the world of fashion to create stunning, stylish pieces that will turn heads. Colour has always been a defining aspect of the fashion industry. Different colours have different connotations, so it comes as no surprise that this year’s predominant ‘feature’ colours are an assertion of strength and passion. The bold, bright colours featuring on the catwalk are in equal parts daring and fitting; with hot pink, red and yellow being the stand out colours of these collections.

Red is always a staple of any wardrobe and is a welcome addition to this year’s collections. Easily paired with monochromes to be the stand-out splash of colour in an outfit, or coupled with equally audacious striking colours, the adaptability of red makes it so easy to incorporate into an outfit, as highlighted by designers across the board on this year’s catwalks. Pink and red is one such combination, Christian Siriano’s two-tone red and fuchsia slip dress being an example of that, two very striking colours individually, combined to create a remarkably complimentary piece that stands out and lives long in the memory. Designers have proven, more so than ever, that they are not afraid to pair even the loudest colours together.

Whilst colour is an overwhelmingly important aspect of any design, what is perhaps the most marked characteristic of the autumn/winter collections is the different prints and patterns on display. Animal print and checks are the patterns dominating collections this season, both toned down for a slightly more subtle and understated look, to daring takes on classics. Tom Ford’s numerous bold red jaguar print outfits with matching accessories highlighted one of the more adventurous takes on one of this year’s most popular trends; taking the classic leopard print and combining it with one of the defining colours of the season to create a striking outfit that symbolises the strength, power and poise that has been so prominently displayed amongst many this year. Of course, not all takes on the animal print trend strayed as far from the traditional, with the likes of Victoria Beckham and Michael Kors taking a much more classical, but no less desirable, approach.

Even more versatile is the second big pattern trend of the autumn/winter season, checks, equally adept at turning an outfit into a statement piece whilst in its simplest form allowing a sense of class and sophistication that, whilst perhaps more understated and subtle, is no less impressive. Checks have no limitations and as such are likely to be adorning stores in all forms in the coming season, from sophisticated dresses and coats to casual tops and trousers. Versace’s multi-coloured check blazer and skirt was a particularly memorable feature on the catwalk, not only for its striking colour combination but also for its, unintentional or not, homage to Clueless character Cher’s (Alicia Silverstone) iconic yellow check suit skirt and blazer. The Versace blazer and skirt combination highlights the upcoming trend of an authoritative style of dress, a sophisticated style that mirrors the type of dress code associated with the world’s high flyers. Suits, tuxedo dresses and capes are commonplace in this year’s autumn/winter styles, creating a sense of dominance and an air of authority. The likes of Givenchy with their exquisite camel coloured waterfall cape, simple in design but one of the more striking outfits on the catwalk, stressed the new season’s desire to portray the image of powerful women in both a refined and classy sense, whilst also being slightly audacious and eccentric. Capes throughout history have proven to be the definition of power and strength, something which has only been reinforced by its appearance on the catwalk this year.

The autumn/winter collections on display on catwalks across the world have encapsulated the sense of change that is becoming increasingly apparent socially. Strength and power have become central themes in this year’s collections, subtly woven in, shadowing the current climate of female empowerment, freedom of speech and fighting for your belief system. In an era defined for speaking out and taking a stand, it seems only fitting that fashion should reflect that.