07 August 2015
Cruise and resort-themed collections are becoming increasingly trendy, and big fashion houses such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Gucci are hosting star-studded fashion shows around the world to display their cruise-inspired designs.
The trend goes all the way back to mid-2005, when a number of fashion houses decided that instead of releasing just two annual collections in boutiques, for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter, they would introduce another line between these seasons.
Cruise and resort wear was born from this idea, and over time gained popularity with wealthy customers and jet setters. Many fashion houses now create these collections for men as well as women, issuing catalogues for potential buyers and clients and throwing big fashion shows to introduce their new lines.
Right now the fashion world is anticipating cruise collections from iconic houses such as Chanel. Each season the house has held their fashion show in a different city around the world for 2011/2012 they travelled from Paris to Bombay, and a year later to Dallas, Texas. For 2014/2015, head designer and creative director Karl Lagerfeld brought the Chanel runway to Dubai.
The houses most recent show, featuring brightly colored clothes and avant-garde silhouettes, was held in Seoul, Korea, in a futuristic space created by Zaha Hadid. Dior also released its cruise collection abroad, introducing an outstanding new line in Tokyo.
Pierre Cardin exhibited its own cruise wear at Le Palais Bulles (The Bubble Palace), the French Riviera home of its legendary founder. Located halfway between Cannes and Monaco, Cardins eccentric house is reminiscent of the Flintstones, but its curved ceilings and futuristic apertures evoke the space age as well. The collection was light and youthful, reflecting the playfulness and individuality of designer Raf Simons.
For Louis Vuitton, fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquiere booked over 800 rooms in Palm Springs, California for the release of their collection.
Gucci, under new creative director Alessandro Michele, closed off West 22nd street in New York for the release of their own new cruise collection, flying in guests from around the world. The line was inspired by the glamorous heyday of 60s and 70s Hollywood.
With these new lines, all of which can be found in Beirut, fashion houses are hoping to entertain customers and encourage them to climb aboard and embrace the new cruise-trend.
Copyright The Daily Star 2015.
