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Home / Lifestyle

Fashion: The A team

Dan Ahwa
By Dan Ahwa
Creative and fashion director for Viva and Lifestyle·NZ Herald·
21 Feb, 2015 02:00 AM3 mins to read

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Photos / Babiche Martens

Photos / Babiche Martens

A flattering wardrobe staple beloved in the past makes a welcome comeback.

When Nicholas Ghesquiere showcased a 60s retro future-inspired collection for his debut collection at Louis Vuitton last year, his almost singular silhouette of an A-line shape seen on jaunty skirts and dresses made an immediate impact on buyers, essentially setting the tone for the next two seasons. A modern take on retro separates has been a strong selling point ever since for both high-end and high street retailers.

But fashion has never really been bashful about its historical referencing and, in a time when versatile dressing is important for both men and women, classic shapes that allow a sense of freedom in movement is necessary. It was this rebellious spirit in freeing women that inspired the late Yves Saint Laurent's first collection for the house of Dior in 1958. His famous "trapeze" line consisted of dresses that flared outward from fitted shoulders, and ultimately filtered into the A-line shapes popularised in the 60s and 70s that are making a comeback in today's modern wardrobe.

An A-line skirt is a no-fuss, clean-cut staple that works in on various body types. Local designers have also looked at exploring the A-line offering with fabrics such as leather and denim, the latter riding the retro wave with gusto as designers focus on beautifully tailored 70s-style denim separates.

Hem lengths this season are varied, from popular mid-lengths to floor-length, however, the mini A-line skirt is a piece that can be worn well into winter with a pair of tights and a blazer for work.

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While no one can deny the slinky allure of a figure-hugging pencil skirt, the A-line is a great example of allowing a sense of ease in movement, giving women the ability to be freer and feel confident - and what's more alluring than that?

From left to right:
1 Harman Grubisca skirt, $650. Kow Tow top, $79. Skin heels, $160. Mimco box clutch, $279.
2 Karen Walker floral print skirt, $380. Trelise Cooper Boardroom skivvy, $129. Silence Was denim jacket, $275. Chie Mihara mules, $490, from Runway.
3 Silence Was skirt, $198. Itzme shirt, $320. Deadly Ponies bag, $295. Skin heels, $180.
4 Kate Sylvester leather skirt, $695 and top, $295. Roy Mason leaf brooch, $350, from Fingers. Mi Piaci heels, $270.
5 Sylvester skirt, $245. Karen Walker polo shirt, $230. Hills Hat straw hat, $200. Senso sandals, $295.

Stockists

• Deadly Ponies
• Fingers (09) 373 3974
• Harman Grubisca
• Hills Hats
• Itzme
• Karen Walker
• Kate Sylvester
• Kow Tow
• Mimco
• Mi Piaci
• Runway
• Senso
• Silence Was
• Skin (09) 368 1981
• Sylvester
• Trelise Cooper

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