This season, fashion is inspired by the beauty of landscapes. Whether it is an open plain, a thunder storm, a pasture of flowers, or a city building that draws you in – make sure that you have it on display on your ensemble. The style tends to be through photo prints, true photographs that are stylised onto fabric with contrasting colours and patterns. However, this can also come to life through embroidery, sketch art, and other creative mediums. Designers from many different backgrounds are creating pieces inspired by what they see. Italian designer Antonio Marras created a floral print sweater dress. The knit pullover creates a feeling of depth, by showing large autumn-coloured tulips in the foreground and small green trees in the distance. The sleeves are split half and half with pattern and jet black to give a modern feel. Greek designer Mary Katrantzou, who comes from a background of interior design and architecture, created a masterful long sleeve mini-dress. The piece features an ice-cold scene in the dead of winter with a sole person walking bundled up on a pathway of benches. The moon shines brilliantly from the ensemble’s shoulder. Iconic fashion house Oscar de la Renta, known for ultra-feminine voluminous designs, created a classic panoramic piece. The chic black silk fit and flare dress features a cottage scene with villagers and animals in brown, gold, and ivory embroidery. For a more modern take, the bridge label from Alexander McQueen created a mini shift dress with a thunderstorm. The symmetric bolts of lightening and ominous sky make for a very dramatic piece. The Hollywood scene is expressing their love for this trend. American actress Olivia Wilde, engaged to SNL funny man Jason Sudeikis, stunned in a Clover Canyon photo print dress. The print of the colossal colonial style building compliments the modern art deco colourful symmetric patterns. She paired with a matching set of Jimmy Choo green suede ankle strap peep toe pumps and a clutch of the same fabric. British actress Naomie Harris, appearing most recently as Moneypenny in the James Bond Skyfall, wore a strapless Mary Katrantzou piece. The skirt features a thick fog over a field, while the bodice features a barren tree with a rainbow in the background. She paired with black ankle strap pumps and no jewelry. Wearing a dress of the same designer, January Jones, famous for her role as Betty Draper on Mad Men, wore a silk tea-length fit and flare dress featuring a colourful tree overlooking mountains and a river. The key to wearing this trend is to stay away from any additional embellishments. If you want to have colourful shoes, pick a colour that is already in the dress, such as what Olivia Wilde did. Do not pair with jewelry; it will take away from the art of the panoramic print. That’s the fashion scoop for this week. Got a thought? Trend? Style you hate? Send it my way. Rachel Breaux is an American living in Rwanda
