34 ELLECANADA.COM
style
IT’S SAFE TO SAY that we are primed to expect
a familiar autumnal palette: earthy or anges and
deep forest greens the colour of piled gourds feel
natural; Bordeaux-like burgundies call to mind
simmering pots of mulled wine; and caramel
browns remind us of turning leaves—or of the
spice blend atop a much-contested seasonal latte.
That’s why, when designers sent splashes of
vibrant hues down their fall catwalks,
our senses were totally upended. A
sublime magenta collided with tanger-
ine lace on a slinky slip at Sies Marjan,
while a wool cape at Valentino
gleamed in dandelion yellow. At Off-
White c/o Virgil Abloh, a not-quite-
neon leather trench (paired with
some tie-dye ankle boots for good
measure) looked utterly hypnotic
under the stage lights.
“The fall runways were alive
with what we’re calling ‘joy mode’
colour combinations,” says Melissa
Moylan, vice-president and creative
director of womenswear at Fashion
Snoops, a New York City-based
trend-forecasting company. “Bold
bursts of col our are undeniably
optimistic.” This mood-enhancing
effect was so punchy that it took
centre stage, overshadowing even
the silhouettes. The beauty of these
brights, says Moylan, is less about
how they look and more about how
they make you feel.
Consider this trend colour ther-
apy for your wardrobe: The up-
lifting neon orange of the knits at
Proenza Schouler arouses a sense
of energy and pleasure; the corn-
flower blue washed on a voluminous empire-
waist gown at Nina Ricci taps into some deep
inner peace; and a standout trio of candy-
coloured fur chubbies, complete with matching
tights and knee-high boots, at Max Mara buoys
the spirit with openness (royal blue), confidence
(yellow) and self-acceptance (turquoise).
You could chalk it up to an effort by designers
to surprise and delight (after all, says Moylan,
“it takes a lot to grab our attention today”), or,
if you’re soaking up all the warm, positive vibes
from Stella McCartney’s breezy butter-yellow
dresses, you might see it as a gift of brightening
ease in an otherwise overcast world. Either way,
we’ll take it.VERSACESIES MARJANHELLESSYPROENZA SCHOULERSTELLA MCCARTNEYLACOSTE“BRIGHTEN UP” BY JILLIAN VIEIRA; “THE WANDERER,” “TEAM CANADA” & “ELLE LOVES” BY ERICA NGAO; PHOTOGRAPHY, IMAXTREE (RUNWAY) & CHRIS WAHL (SMYTHE X JENNY BIRD)BRANDON MAXWELLMAX MARA