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As flowers begin to bloom like the ruffled fabric of a tulle skirt and a warm breeze pulls at free-flowing hemlines, women transform their closets to mimic spring’s freshness and blossoming vitality. This spring, Fashion Reverie predicts that free-spirited, dopamine dressing will rise if trends around the globe during respective fashion weeks are any indication. Anna Laplaca and Yusra Siddiqui of WHO WHAT WEAR recently wrote an article titled “New York Has Spoken—These 8 Trends Will Be Everywhere in 2022.” In it, they write, “We’re talking about full-on fringe, sheer fabrics galore, and cutouts continuing on. It’s safe to say you should start getting excited about 2022 fashion.” Fashion brands have been siphoning rhinestones, fringe, geometric cutouts, body-hugging fits, and highly saturated patterns from 1970s Cher and funneling them through a modern lens.
Many of Cher’s iconic looks were designed by Bob Mackie, who was often referred to as the “sultan of sequins” or the “rajah of rhinestones.” Known for his stage gowns and costumes, Mackie designed for women who were not afraid to be seen, and his work shimmered in the eyes of those who watched the entertainer (Cher) he dressed. Fashion Reverie has curated a list of spring Cher-inspired pieces for the woman who, like Cher, isn’t afraid to be noticed!
Highly Saturated Prints and Statuesque Long Lines
In the 1970s, Cher was well-known for her statuesque figure defined by stage outfits with long lines and a body-contouring fit. In 2022, many fashion designers are creating gowns and dresses that use a woman’s body as a canvas and resemble soft oil pastel prints that hang in ornate golden frames on museum walls. Several brands’ collections are in this style, from Swiss brand Ottolinger to Casablanca based in Paris and New York-based brand Collina Strada.
Image courtesy of ssense.com
Ottolinger Multicolor Cheyenne Julien Mesh Dress $275
Designed by Christa Bösch and Cosima Gadient, who together won the 2022 LVMH Prize, the Swiss brand Ottolinger is well known for its deconstructive style that is avant-garde and fearless. For this particular piece, the designers collaborated with Cheyenne Julien, a New York City-based artist who paints colorful portraits of women with exaggerated expressions to depict disturbing emotions. This dress, featuring long ties, green trim, and colorful artwork, encapsulates this trend perfectly.
Image courtesy of Casa Blanca
Casablanca Paris La Course Ideale Halterneck Jumpsuit $940
Casablanca Paris’ pieces are designed by Charaf Tajer, whose French-Moroccan background informs many of his designs. His printed silk pieces are vivid and luxurious as they wrap the body lightly. Many of his designs are inspired by sports, especially racing and tennis. This jumpsuit was inspired by Formula 1 racing, “with cars racing away from a sun adorned with diamonds.” Flared legs evoke a modern 1970s style while the open back is reminiscent of many of Cher’s figure revealing looks. Fashion Reverie recommends brands STINE GOYA and House of Sunny for less expensive options!
Image courtesy of Collin Strada
Collina Strada Meadowland Princess Bodysuit Gown $2000
Collina Strada by Hillary Taymour is the definition of outlandish modern fashion. The brand’s website states, “the brand DNA is now firmly cemented in the ability to look inward even when we’re loud and expressive on the outside.” Collina Strada is known for fashion presentations that defy the status quo, much like Cher’s looks. Also known for sustainability, this look is made from rose sylk created from the natural waste of rose bushes and stems (perfect for spring!) With its slim fit, open keyhole back, watery oil pastel-esque print, and a long-lined skirt extending past the feet, this look is what we would imagine 1970s Cher to wear in today’s sustainable fashion context.
Cutouts and Rhinestones in Full Bloom
A design element that has been synonymous with Cher throughout several decades is geometric cutouts around her waist. For example, her 1986 Oscars dress designed by Bob Mackie featured triangular cutouts in sparkling black fabric with dangling rhinestones. In 2022, many brands are swapping geometric cutouts for romantic iconography in the shape of hearts, flowers, and butterflies. Maimounstore, AREA NYC, and ASOS are a few brands featuring high fashion cutouts.
Image courtesy of Kim for Maimoun
J.Kim for Maimounstore Gradient Petal Dress $473
J.Kim is a brand designed by Jenia Kim, who comes from a family of Korean emigrants from Uzbekistan. Her website states that her pieces “evolve the core elements of traditional Asian costume. Her recent obsession is Korean dress. Jenia is inspired by it and tries to represent it in a modern way.” This floral cutout dress comes from a collection that is “a story about a Korean woman from Uzbekistan forming her own visual language.” The floral cutouts are created from tie-dyed ties, a style known as Pop Fashion in the 1970s.
Image courtesy of AREA
AREA Embroidered Crystal Daisy Top $1580
AREA NYC is a brand named after the iconic 80s Manhattan nightclub, “known for its fusion of art and performance in conceptually-themed nights attracting an eclectic mix of uptown and downtown scenes along with international celebrities,” according to AREA’s website. This theme of performance and theatrics represents Cher’s style well since Bob Mackie designed for an audience.
AREA NYC is best known for rhinestones and intricate embellishments, a design element also synonymous with Cher’s looks. The Crystal Daisy Top, with its floral shape, open back, and crystal details, are perfect for a dramatic spring look!
Image courtesy of ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Butterfly Embellished Cami Scarf Top with Cut Outs $50
One of Cher’s most iconic looks was her 1974 Grammys “butterfly” look, featuring a white bandeau top with a blue and pink rhinestone butterfly fixed in the center, a matching butterfly hairpin and skirt, and a sheer white shawl. Even today, this look has inspired many entertainers, notably Dua Lipa, for the 2021 Grammys red carpet. Dua Lipa wore a blue and pink rhinestone sheer dress with a butterfly cutout on the bodice. For a less expensive alternative, ASOS DESIGN’s top mimics both Cher and Dua Lipa’s looks; but can be styled down with jeans for a spring 2022 look!
3D Textured Designs
As a performer, Cher wore looks that moved fluidly along with her, and many of her dresses were almost 3D, embellished with textured pieces like feathers, fringe, and fur. Feathers and sparkles danced in the air trailing behind Cher at every award show, performance, or TV taping. This highly textured trend has dominated runways worldwide, especially in the form of multi-color feathers flying on bright ensembles. Fancì Club and ANDREEVA are two luxury brands representative of this trend.
Image courtesy of Fanci Club
Fancì Club Glow Dress $360
FANCI CLUB is a Vietnamese brand designed by 22-year-old Duy Tran. In an interview with Vogue by Eni Subair, Tran says, “I’m trying to create a revolution with Fancì Club. I’d like to normalize showing taboo parts of the body, including—and not limited to—the buttocks. I hope my designs encourage people to love themselves.”
Many of his pieces are what he calls “naked dresses,” which are almost entirely sheer. Cher wore “naked dresses” very often, with her body only being covered by a few crystals and feathers. Similarly, several dresses from Tran’s “His Ring and Her Edge” collection feature sheer dresses with fur embellished keyhole openings on the back.
Image courtesy of Andreeva
ANDREEVA Green Multicolor Dress with Handmade Knit Details $420
ANDREEVA is a family fashion business run by mother and daughter Olga & Marina Andreeva from Ukraine. Fashion Reverie highly recommends monetarily supporting Ukrainian businesses right now, and ANDREEVA is our top choice!
ANDREEVA’s pieces feature hand-made knitwear embellished with feathers and fringe. The brand even has Anna Wintour’s stamp of approval as she visited the showroom and called ANDREEVA the most innovative emerging brand. If Cher’s fashion is anything, it’s innovative, so ANDREEVA is also Fashion Reverie’s choice for inimitable spring 2022 fashion!
Cher-Esque Accessories
Cher often let an outfit speak for itself—she rarely carried a purse and never let her footwear outshine her outfit. Fashion Reverie, however, has curated a list of a few Cher-esque accessories in case our readers would rather wear these trends in a more reserved way. Combining all elements of Cher’s style through a modern lens, Fashion Reverie has picked a sheer bag embellished with floral rhinestones, crystal cutout gloves, and 3D architectural heels.
Image courtesy of Cult Gaia
Cult Gaia Bloom Rhinestone Bag $598
If 1970s Cher were a bag, it would be a Cult Gai bag. Cult Gaia’s founder, Jasmin Larian, writes, “The cornerstone of Cult Gaia’s DNA has been forged with the ideal of creating Objets d’Art that make you look twice.” If anything, Cher’s presence certainly made people look twice. The bag’s dazzling rhinestone cording creates a floral weave attached to sheer vinyl, a design that is made to be admired. If you are not as willing to wear sheer rhinestone outfits, a sheer bag is a perfect buy!
Image courtesy of Poster Girl
POSTER GIRL Gracie Gloves $171
At the moment, POSTER GIRL is the IT brand, as seen on Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, Doja Cat, Rita Ora, and Winnie Harlow, to name a few. POSTER GIRL is most relevant in the pop culture space with its pieces made to be seen. Several pieces feature crystal heart embellishments, sheer fabrics, heart cutouts, and rhinestone-covered draped fabric. The brand’s Gracie Gloves offer these bold elements on a smaller scale, perfect for those who want to make a statement this spring through their accessories.
Image courtesy of Y/Project
Y/PROJECT Melissa Floral Point Mule Key Lime $222
Y/PROJECT’s recent footwear collaboration is sculptural and is described on their website as “profusely adorned and embellished.” Wearing this lime-hued crystal shoe is the perfect way to step into spring led by a floral pointed toe. The heel is 100% vegan, representing sustainability goals prevalent in the fashion industry for 2022 and beyond. The shoes can easily be dressed up or pared down, depending on how Cher-like our readers want to be!
—Tessa Swantek
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