Effortlessly Etro
Etro’s beautiful SS19 collection is a lesson in beachside bohemia
From the sunny California coast to the rugged shores of Japan via the tropics of Hawaii, Creative Director Veronica Etro cast a net along the edges of the Pacific Ocean for SS19, resulting in a collection richly inspired by the laid-back ease of a beach paradise. “My work is an emotional endeavor,” says Veronica of her design process. “I observe everything, storing sensations and inspirations to share with my team.” Founded in 1968 by Gerolamo ‘Gimmo’ Etro (Veronica’s father), Etro has long been renowned for its bohemian-influenced aesthetic and signature paisley prints. A natural fit for the Italian fashion house, this season sees the introduction of details and motifs inspired by surf culture and the coastal landscape, as seashells, hibiscus flowers and palm fronds appear across flowing dresses, lightweight cover-ups and even on accessories. And in a beautiful culmination of East meets West, Japanese style tropes such as kimono jackets and finely perfected graphics add edges of elegance and refinement. The result is a collection that is joyous, free and effortlessly Etro.
Loyalists of the label will be pleased to know that Etro’s emblematic design codes are as strong as ever. Silhouettes are loose and free while maintaining elements of structure that flatter the body: judo-style jackets are belted at the waist with long cotton bows and trimmed in fringing, while ruffled silk dresses are finished with drawstrings at the wrist and waist to define the relaxed shape. Pants are wide and loose for full freedom of movement, diaphanous kaftans practically float on the body and slouchy shantung silk suits give a hint of ’70s glamour.
After a few seasons of more muted palettes, SS19 also sees a return to strong color. Starting with bold shades of indigo, cyan, magenta and coral, the collection melts into a riot of lighter citrus hues – lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit – before circling back to classic black, white and cream. Joyous prints are as easygoing as the beach-worshipping girls that inspired them, featuring blown-up technicolor paisley motifs, Matisse-inspired cutouts, Japanese calligraphy, tropical florals, bandana patterns and Ikat-inspired designs. And in an homage to Hawaiian shirts, blooming tropical sunset scenes adorn printed shirts, silk pants and embroidered dresses.
Of course, no spring/summer closet would be complete without a few statement vacation essentials to finish your look. Etro’s floral-print straw hat ensures you will be suitably shaded from the sun, while silk pareos and knotted headbands add glamour to beach outfits and keep you chic in the heat. One of SS19’s standout trends (and the easiest to adopt), jewelry appears as if it’s sourced from the sea, with crystal-encrusted seashells adorning everything from earrings to necklaces. An ode to all women inspired by the waves.