Our Fashion Editor’s Curation Of The Hottest Items Of Pre-Fall 2018
Imran Jalal curates the cool perennials from Pre-Fall 2018 that could make better buys than what’s on the mid-year sales rack.
by CHRISTABEL TEO /
June 20, 2018
The insta-sartorial “DB”
Short for double-breasted jacket, this comes with two/three/four pairs of buttons that lend an air of formality (more so than its single-breasted cousin), and peak lapels that create the illusion of an hourglass shape. Pre-Fall 2018’s options range from timeless to subtly playful (see the fur-trimmed cuffs on Fendi’s), as well as a study in how to wear this staple going forward: with cargoes (Tommy Hilfiger) or belted (Chloe) – in other words, not necessarily the classic way.
Would you carry this to work? Why not – when it’s more practical than a shoulder handbag, yet makes you look like “the fashionable one” in the office? Would you carry this off-duty? Of course – it’s effortless enough yet way chicer than what most women carry to yoga or Tanjong Beach Club.
The weekend-ready original, which debuted in S/S ’18, was made of jacquard canvas and featured the likes of the brand’s charming, vintage-esque Oblique monogram (also most likely the reason why it sold out). Now, Dior’s Book Tote debuts in smooth calfskin – a more sophisticated look – without dialling down on the whimsy. The French quote printed on it translates to “If you love Love, you will love Surrealism”, a famous slogan from a flyer that Paris’ Bureau of Surrealist Research disseminated in 1924.Think of Burberry’s Belt Bag as the tote equivalent of the brand’s signature trench coat (well, it pays homage to it). Note the belt-like clasp, its slouchiness that’s inspired by the softness of the trench, the attention to detail (each bag is crafted using 63 pieces of leather and 2,050 stitches), and its multiple permutations – all of which remain seasonless. The latest: The medium and large sizes in a cool, slightly casual combination of canvas and leather. (PS: Expect more unexpected options, like a version with a rainbow-striped belt, at a pop-up at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands happening from month’s end.)
The hype horology piece
The high-end watch world moves at a much slower pace than that of streetwear, but when it drops a limited edition number, the buzz among collectors is no different (and neither is the market value that – unlike that of most timepieces – can hold or grow). A good time to look out for them is post-Basel (aka this time of year), and one we’re predicting a wait list for is Chanel’s J12 Untitled ($8,100), with the cult ceramic design now stamped with the number 12 in a matte finish across the dial. The total number of pieces: 1,200 in black and 1,200 in white.
A cosy knit + flowy skirt
A season-, idiot- and fail-proof pairing that’s far from new, but if that’s the only reason why you hate it, well, you’re just a hater. (Especially when there are so many variations of these two separates this Pre-Fall – cute, sultry, old-school preppy, even prairie chic – that it’ll be hard not to find at least one to like.)
Mohair cardigan, $1,200, and cotton skirt, $4,340, Miu Miu
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Wool sweater and matching skirt, Dior
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Wool sweater and fil coupe skirt, Prabal Gurung
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Wool and polyester sweater, and acetate and viscose skirt, Coach
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Wool sweater and cotton skirt, Monse
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Wool sweater and silk skirt, Stella McCartney
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Cashmere and wool sweater, $3,380, and muslin skirt, $3,730, Chanel
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Anything with a heritage monogram
Love it or hate it, logomania is an enduring trend. The latest wave puts the spotlight back on the most iconic, OG of branded logos – the initialed monogram – but instead of treating it merely as a status signifier, brashly adapts it onto the millennium’s must-have staples like an artistic pattern. For this, we vote “love”.
Okay, so the graphic monogram in Fendi’s FF Logo Capsule Collection ($1,150-$8,750) is not the brand’s first logo (that came out in 1965 and was more rectangular in shape), but it is an adaptation of the one created in 1974 by Karl Lagerfeld, the brand’s pre-eminent and long-standing creative director. Spanning streetwear separates (bombers, beanies), more ladylike options (knits, flowy A-line skirts), PJs (yes, PJs), and the brand’s signature bags (Kan I, Peekaboo, Runaway), every piece is covered in the logo and available in a combination of either black and white, or black and tobacco.
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The fun dress watch
The style – dainty and elegant with cases no wider than 35mm – says “I’m sophisticated”. The accompanying and equally demure leather strap – now in an array of vibrant Matisse shades – says “You’re the boring one”.
Slide 1–4: Possession 18K pink gold watches with diamonds on alligator straps, Piaget. Slide 5–8: Boy.Friend watches in 18K white gold or 18K beige gold with diamonds on alligator skin straps, Chanel Fine Jewellery. Slide 9–12: Formula 1 Lady watches in stainless steel with diamonds on leather straps, Tag Heuer. Slide 13–16: Liens Lumiere watches in stainless steel on leather straps, Chaumet
Classic IT bags reinvented
These instantly recognisable signatures are the definition of “classic made new again (and again, and again)”.
Gucci’s GG Marmont line now comes in a new calfskin leather that has a more uneven grain and softness, giving the tote ($3,870) and shoulder bag ($2,460) a slouchier finish.
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Nicolas Ghesquiere gives the Louis Vuitton Twist Lock ($5,450) a rock edge by coating the bag’s trademark twist lock in leather.
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The Matelasse Miu Lady debuts a disco-fab finish in a new metallic leather.
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The 23-year-old Lady Dior goes all Gothic-cool with Dior’s Cannage quilting hot-stamped on matte black leather the brand dubs “ultra black”.
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The hand-knitted crochet Flapbag by Chanel ($20,290) comes dressed up in faux pearls as a nod to Gabrielle Chanel’s love for pearls.
This story first appeared in Female’s June 2018 print issue.
