The Fashion Memo

Most wanted

A curated round-up of the best new fashion arrivals, hand-picked by our editors

Fashion
Clockwise from top left: bag, Balenciaga; blouse, pants and sandals, Chloé; earring, Maria Tash; dress, Petar Petrov; mules, Gianvito Rossi; watch, Cartier; sandals, ATP Atelier; cardigan, Proenza Schouler

Ever since Natacha Ramsay-Levi assumed the role of creative director at Parisian powerhouse Chloé, the French designer has had the industry in raptures, thanks to her romantic yet decidedly modern designs. Indeed, her SS20 collection was no exception. Classic pieces were reimagined with design flourishes and details that perfectly encapsulated the label’s bohemian spirit. Ramsay-Levi has a gift for creating clothes that are impactful yet can also slot easily into any woman’s closet, and it’s this practicality that makes her designs so alluring.

At a time when women across the world have been living in a state of lockdown for months and are, in many ways, demanding more from their clothes than ever before (comfort, polish, pride – the list goes on), the pieces we choose to invest in have never had more significance. For PORTER fashion assistant Annie Hertikova, longevity is top of the list; pieces that will put a refined spin on her WFH uniform, but also have a special place in her closet for seasons to come. So, it should come as no surprise that she’s been coveting Chloé’s timeless pants since she first saw them on the runway.

“Since lockdown began, comfort and versatility have become my key considerations when it comes to clothes shopping, and these tapered pants have both in abundance. The loose fit is suitably relaxed for working from home (read: my sofa), while the pinstripes make a chic counterpoint to simple tees and light knits, which have been a core part of my uniform for the past few months. For now, I’ll be taking styling lessons from the Chloé runway and pairing my pants with chunky gold jewelry – an easy way to elevate my WFH look. When the time comes to return to the office, I’ll wear them with a boxy silk shirt, perfect for warm days and easy to layer under a blazer. Effortless and elegant, these pants are a sound investment, guaranteed to work in and out of the house.”

Those looking for similarly laid-back yet luxe pieces will also be enchanted by designer Petar Petrov’s ethereal polka-dot summer dress, which requires little more than a pair of leather sandals to make an enviable ensemble. Right now, it’s ideal for sunny days spent lounging in the garden, but later down the line you’ll find it also makes a failsafe party piece.

Discover more from this week’s What’s New.