Raul Penaranda spring 2021 imagescourtesy of Raul Penaranda
As we cautiously creep back towards “normality,” women’s desire to wear a pretty dress is coming back front and center. Says show producer Christina Neault, “I’m ready; I want to put on a pretty dress and go out to lunch with friends again.”
What’s striking a chord with a group of women we casually polled were dresses in floral prints of all kinds, from retro to ultra-modern. Some fashion-lovers regard prints as risk-taking when it comes to adding to their closet; however, this season, floral prints of all shapes colors and sizes are at the top of fashionistas’ shopping lists.
Image courtesy of pinterest.co.uk
But first, a little bit of a timeline of this “new-again” trend. When Tom Ford took over the then-dormant Gucci brand, the first collection that sparked some editorial attention was his retro spring 1995 collection. The romantic floral print made for eye-catching ads, that were brilliantly photographed by Mario Testino, featured 90’s supermodels Chandra North and Chrystèle Saint Louis Augustin. Years later, Gucci reprised the print, and it is now used on the Gucci Bloom fragrance packaging. Other iconic florals back then ranged from the gender fluid thrift shop finds worn on stage by singer Kurt Cobain to delicate Liberty of London prints to oversized Georgia O’Keefe abstracts by Michael Kors.
Image courtesy of Silas Rudd
As in the nineties, the choices this season are nearly endless. If you’re inclined to shop vintage, Silas Redd, the owner of the award-winning Nostalgia Boutique, has armloads of pretty frocks to choose from. For his customers, florals have become a staple, just like the LBD. “Even when Mother Nature is a bit slow on giving us the flowers we desire, floral print garments can help usher in and jumpstart the season.”
Miguelina Images courtesy of Atelier PR
As for ready to wear, there are wonderful dresses at every price point, from daffodil yellow kaftans by Valentino, to hippie boho chic from Miguelina with floral lace detailing, all perfect for a trip to Palm Springs. If you’re in the market for a sexy dress, look to Venezuelan designer, Raul Penaranda, who describes his brand as “a sustainable luxury brand crafted with kindness.” He explains, “Flowers are iconic themes for all spring collections in general. What’s new is our mix of florals and animal prints as well as the use of flowers in very luxurious fabrics such as laser cut-out organza and Italian silks painted by hand.” The result is a collection that seems made for a trip to Miami for some much-needed shopping and dining.
Images courtesy of Target
For the budget conscious, Shein (www.shein.com) has an adorable blue puff sleeve day dress for $19. Target is in the game as well. The masstige retailer has partnered with “three coveted designers for a new limited-edition dress collection inspired by the joy of self-expression.” The limited-edition Christopher John Rogers, ALEXIS, and RIXO for Target collections feature size-inclusive offerings as well as traditional sizes (0-30w) in colorful prints by Rogers and an elegant black and white botanical one-shoulder dress by ALEXIS that are already selling quickly.
—Vivian Kelly
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