82 hong kong tatler. september 2017
The Paris fashion house Leonard, which has been around
since 1958, made a name for itself with fl oral prints inspired by
Japanese woodblock printing. We spotted them on a cropped
top and harem pants combo in a summer 1977 issue of Hong
Kong Tatler—and four decades later, current creative director
Christine Phung
continues to
apply the iconic
prints to light-as-
air looks.Red, seen in this top-to-toe look from our November
1977 issue, is arguably the colour of the current season.
This look from Chanel’s 2017 Métiers d’Art show is a
strikingly modern
interpretation of the
retro red ensemble.A sweetheart neckline, lots of lurex and a larger-
than-life belt—that pretty much sums up ’80s
style. Hedi Slimane’s last collection for Saint
Laurent in FW17 paid homage to the era, with
everything from exaggerated shoulders and the
colour palette to the models’ accessories and
make-up referencing the period.Paco Rabanne made a name for himself as a rebellious
designer for his use of unconventional materials in the
1960s, and his legacy has lasted for many years. A look
from the July 1989 issue features a harness-like top
crafted from metal fl owers. The label’s
current creative director, Julien Dossena,
continues to carry the torch; we’ve spotted
chain mesh and even crystal chandelier
parts in his latest shows.The fl oral print peasant dress has certainly
withstood the test of time. The September
1978 issue showcased a look by Kenzo
(from Joyce), and Altuzarra is just one
of the many designers continuing to
send fl oral frocks down the runway
today. (His New York brand is also
exclusively available at Joyce in
Hong Kong.)Alessandro Michele knows no
bounds when seeking inspiration
for his Gucci collections. Any era, be it the
medieval, the Renaissance or even the 1980s,
can serve as the starting point for the Italian
designer. A Wim Hemmink
emerald green gown in our
December 1983 issue bears a
striking resemblance to one of
Michele’s dresses from SS17.2017