Think of “Utility Style” as a getting-things-done style. Spring/Summer 2019 has a new take on utility style, as the word itself, utility, makes its way around different fashion houses this season. The collection of clothes pave way to a number of separates adorned with patch pockets, jumpsuits and hands-free accessories making their way down the catwalk, before they reach one’s personal wardrobe. As a trend, it isn’t necessarily groundbreaking or special since this style has been around since World War II with women decked out in boiler suits appearing in posters saying “We can do it!”. As more female designers take over positions at these major fashion houses, utility style is breaking away from the classic blue-collar one piece. Beyond the classic boiler suit, there are multiple zip-fasten pockets across trousers with chic snap-fasten cuffs and toggle pulls to nip in waists. Whatever it is, it is surely a utilitarian way of dressing in an elevated and fashion-forward style.
Tory Burch
For fashion designer Tory Burch, utility style is used throughout the collection inspired by her parents who are globe trotters and a jet-setters to Italy, Greece, Morocco and Spain. The styling is comfortable yet chic with the models wearing safari suiting, breezy tunics, and scarf-print separates in this Spring/Summer 2019 collection. A sense of wanderlust is very evident. The key to Burch’s appeal is the polished look she brings to relaxed clothes. Today, she emphasized the aspect of ease by accessorizing much of the collection, from vacation-ready caftans to a chain-print trench and matching pants, with canvas sneakers.
Tory Burch Galaxy Macau Shop G068, G/F, The Promenade, Cotai – Macau, +853 2882 3693, www.toryburch.com
Dior
There’s a new approach to Dior’s silhouettes. In this Spring/Summer 2019 collection, there is jersey in the collection for the first time, cut, draped and pleated into neat neo-Grecian frocks. A dress of macramé, elegant in khaki, is braided entirely from tulle and presents as soft yet precise. There are charming floral prints made abstract and artisanal pieces expressed through tie-dye. Key pieces include mackintosh coats covered in roses or daisies and lined with the Dior logo, embroidered fatigues, plexi-heeled wedges with nude straps for that footwear holy grail, the naked shoe.
Dior One Central Shops G30-G31, Ground Floor, Macau, +853 2872 3262, www.dior.com
Marine Serre
For her sophomore runway show, Marine Serre consolidated her by now well-known trademarks–the collision of the sportif and soft-scarf flou, her crescent moon logo, the sharp tailoring of a gleaming white moiré silk skirt suit, its athletic jacket emblazoned with Speed on the back and a navy pantsuit with snaps that ran up the sides of its trousers. The Spring/Summer 2019 collection can be best described as Hardcore Couture, a nod to both the toughness of the past year in terms of getting things done her way and the elevation and aspiration for Marine Serre’s work. A key piece in this collection is the evening gown silhouette adorned with pockets that is very utilitarian but in a evening wear approach styled with an angsty street vibe.
Marine Serre marineserre.com
Alberta Ferreti
Things lighten up as utility styling takes a brighter turn for Alberta Ferreti’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection with the use of pastel hues and colors. The fashion house dives in to the more youthful and less serious styling with jean jackets, chinos and utility skirts in this collection. Pieces like slouchy denim jackets, boxy overalls, t-shirts, lacy camisoles, and slip dresses were all rendered in a palette of soft pastels. Overall, the target is to stay away from the need to produce an addendum of black looks with charming and sweet pastel pieces.
Alberta Ferreti www.albertaferretti.com
Fendi
The result of teamwork between Silvia Venturini Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld, one of his last collections before passing away, has produced clothes that are without a doubt in utility mode with bags after bags, pockets upon pockets and Fendi’s logo all over this Spring/Summer 2019 collection. One of the key pieces is the eye catching exaggerated external tan leather pockets on a transparent vinyl raincoat. There are also puffy poacher pockets on silk blouses, a utility jacket and brown leather jackets, pockets that had their own smaller pockets on top of them, along with cargo pants and parkas with multiple pockets. A generational shift in terms of who this brand appeals to, Fendi makes street style more luxe this way.
Fendi Galaxy Macau Shop G091, Cotai, +853 2883 9888, www.fendi.com
