Spring/Summer 2016 represents an enormous departure for Victoria Beckham, whose polished minimalist message is not only the key to her personal style, but also to her brand’s signature aesthetic. Known for never smiling in front of the media, Beckham’s poised demeanor was in stark contrast with the collection’s vibrant, energetic attitude, which borrowed influence from her frequent travels in order to assemble a new category of “urban surfer” cool.
Her traditionally fitted silhouette gave way to a looser, more relaxed fit, which represented the brand’s conscious efforts to appeal to a broader consumer base and reflected the fashion industry’s shift toward more democratic sizing. Gingham separates, lightweight day dresses, and sleeveless peplum tops and culotte pairings ruled the first portion of the collection, while Beckham’s “urban” message found its way onto the runway in the form of loose surf-print sheaths, split-front hoodies, and kicky leather skirts. Vibrant pops of California color trimmed smooth, white column dresses or amplified the background on beachy prints. Beckham also used the same primary hues on sculpted suede pieces that informed a new take on color blocking.
The lighter, airier mood at Victoria Beckham is no accident. Asia is the brand’s fastest-growing market, and Beckham is planning a new store opening in Miami. With that in mind, Beckham created her optimistic Spring/Summer 2016 looks for clients in warmer climates, where a body-conscious, color-blocked dress might be desirable, but ultimately impractical. At the end of the show, Beckham emerged on the runway in a head-to-toe black ensemble, which again contrasted against the energetic display on her runway. She built an empire on a solid foundation by drawing on her personal style, but Spring/Summer 2016 transmits a feeling of welcomed exuberance that proves there is more to Beckham’s capability than meets the eye.
Photos: Courtesy of Imaxtree
