Suede: one of the many 70s throwbacks set to infiltrate our wardrobes this summer. Mottled and mattified, this retro fabric is loaded with nostalgia – recalling love-worn festival jackets, the toughness of cowboy boot leather and the satisfying fade of a well-used bag. This is a fabric that was born to age.
Although Gucci and Alberta Ferretti went in head-first with the hippy swing – embracing romantic lines, sun-faded hues and flower power print – there were a handful of designers that decided to reinvent suede for a new generation. Jason Wu opted for a utilitarian aesthetic, channelling clean-lined separates and sculptural dresses in camo green, while Derek Lam sent models down the runway draped in long-line suede trenches in the softest lilac. Will there be new suede associations for the nougties generation? Either way, retro or revamp – the choice is yours…
Words: Joy Starkey
