Psychedelia Reigns Supreme at Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2017

Modern haute hippies, bohemian goddesses, and slinky rock ‘n roll women shared the stage for Roberto Cavalli’s Spring/Summer 2017, preferring maximalism, excess, and attitude just like their forerunners used to. Designer Peter Dundas, now with his hands firmly grasped around the reigns of the storied Italian brand, continues to push his rock agenda forward, this time carving his path with beautifully embroidered Navajo capes, patchworked peasant dresses, and an eye-popping crop of flared trousers.

Jimi, Stevie, Janis, and other progressive style icons of the 1960s and 1970s immediately come to mind when viewing this collection. The boho spirit was carried forward on pale peach velvet trousers, fringed jackets, embroidered skinny scarves, sheer gowns embroidered with conch shells and bones, and jangly maxi skirts. The silhouette was languid and androgynous, but not without moments of thrilling reveal, as taut tummies were exposed by low-slung jeans and corseted tops. With so many prints, patterns, and textures on parade, the effect was soporific and heady, much like the atmosphere of a Haight-Ashbury sit-in or the backstage scene at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. The wow-factor came from the intense handiwork of so much beading, embellishment, and embroidery, which was compounded by a kaleidoscopic palette that saw fit to include every color of the rainbow. Dundas might not be reinventing the wheel here, but his densely worked and intensely detailed clothes are beautiful enough to earn their place in the modern bohemian’s wardrobe.