Paul Smith and Thakoon A/W ready-to-wear collections 16

So as my research into the Post-retro trend took me into the fashion side of thing I started to look at current brands and designers who are either embracing this trend or taking inspiration or influence.

Ok right so you probably wouldn't think of these two names, in fact I only discovered Thakoon through my research, but along with Paul Smith they are two brands who have aspects of my post retro trend. Although these aspects might not seem obvious at first when you compare them along side the styles seen in 1965-1975 then you really start to notice similarities.

So lets start with Paul Smith,

When I looked at this collections the first thing that really stood out for me was the colour scheme, theres a range of muted subdued tones contrasting bright vibrant colours start off a clear reaction to post-retro when colour really exploded, but it's not just the colours that suggest the post retro trend but there are also several other elements incorporated into the collection. One of the biggest styles to come from this period was tailoring, the suit became common every day wear for both men and women with tailoring being the biggest feature; Paul Smith has incorporated tailoring in past collection but for me it really stands out within the A/W 16 showing pants suit combinations but both give a sense of empowerment still creating a feminine silhouette, along with wool coats and shirt dresses that add to this. The collection is built using clean lines thats naturally flatter the figure with a number of the looks appearing to take inspiration from key designers of the time much like Geoffrey Beene who balanced smock-like shirts with slim skirts and straight leg pants; there are also a number of dress making techniques within the collection such as pleats, smocking and tucks that are combined with layering creating strong looks as if taken from 1975 . This collection really takes on the post-retro trend but in a subtle way with out the need of a hippie look, bright flamboyant pattern or neon colours.

Now for Thakoon,

Unlike the Paul Smith collection it was a little harder to see any resemblance to the post-retro trend it was only when I did a comparison of two images that I noticed just how similar the two were. I photo taken in 1975 featuring a floral dress was duplicated in the Thakoon collection give it a few touch ups, but apart from some modern alterations to the two were practically identical. Where as the Paul Smith collection used colour scheme to connect with the post-retro theme Thakoon really took inspiration from actually garment themselves, directly taking elements from key trends of this period. Although there were stylistic elements taking from 1965 t 1975 one thing that wasn't used was any direct relation through colour or pattern, instead the collection featured quite a mono colour palette with only the odd splash of colour to bring to life but this has been done in a clever way that has brought the post-retro appeal into the modern day .

Thakoon A/W16 Fashion in 1975

I really like what both of these brands have done with the collections, they have carefully taken parts/ elements from the post-retro era and brought them into the modern day but both using them in a different way, in comparison to each other they are the complete opposite, yet this is why I have found them such a inspiration.