2016 was all about assaulting the prim, proper silhouette with a heavyweight component; sequins. Designers presented collections showing that embellished garments are not only for the office Christmas party but for an entirely different occasion; casual boots and fur coats instead of high heels and extravagant jewellery. With mannish styles dominating the runway, it was time for a much more elaborate trend to take its place. Designers brought an altogether new style to the catwalk, combining high necked dresses with floor-length, capacious lengths. Elongating the body and transforming the normcore trend that had reigned over the world.
The trend was renovated to a new level and some designers used this to transform models into mermaids of fashion by embellishing their bodies with garments to create a scaled effect as if the models were underwater and the audience were scuba divers observing the designers’ art; alike Dries Van Noten’s 2016 Ready-To-Wear collection. Van Noten created a fairy-tale in place of a sequined garment, playing on the childlike attitude of the audience.
Erdem created an entirely different aesthetic with its 2016 Ready-To-Wear collection with a long-sleeved, calf-length dress capturing the 1940s image. Pairing it, simply, with black boots, toning down the inevitable blinding reflection of the sequins on the catwalk lights. The black and silver colour aesthetic added to the styling, creating an effortless silhouette with the silver drawing the attention of any crowd.
Many would be afraid to venture out with a full sequined gown, scared to draw attention to themselves when the lights begin to reflect upon the garment. Designers challenged this stereotype by creating garments that fit the purpose of any occasion or personality. Dior bought an entirely different aesthetic to sequins by making it grunge, the complete opposite of what many are led to believe. The subdued colour and aesthetic does not however, take away from the magnificence of the garment, but makes an entirely new image for the audience. The black high-necked undershirt was accompanied with a loose, slouching dress adorned with black and blue sequins. Paired with simple accessories and make-up, although the bold black lip colour challenged this idea, the garment shone on the runway but not for being the brightest, only the most casual, subdued yet fashionable item to be seen that incorporated this trend.
Gucci, however, did not follow this subdued aesthetic. Instead making a garment for an entirely different purpose. The Fashion House created a red and silver striped, bold trouser-suit ensemble with a choker to match, the black lapels and fur cuffs being the only piece of the garment not overwhelmingly adorned with sequins. The open-toed shoes styled with the suit shows that the purpose of this garment was extremely different to Erdem’s subdued colour aesthetic.
Valentino bought a nostalgic touch to their 2016 Ready-To-Wear collection with a 1960s prom dress embellished with sequins. Making the audience feel as if they had just entered an American prom. Paired with flats and a slouchy grey turtleneck gave this 60s, baby pink, embellished gown a high fashion, couture update. This trend did not stop on the runway and many celebrities took advantage of this trend. Who can forget model Lily Aldridge’s pairing of a cropped, frayed denim jacket with a sleek, colour-changing sequin ensemble. The kaleidoscopic colour turned this model to mermaid.
Alexander McQueen, a fashion house known for its extreme, extravagant and exemplary designs, pushed the boundaries once again by creating a sheer garment alike Versace, giving a robotic effect with the use of sequins. One side adorned with golden sequins and the other semi-transparent, exposing the skin and pushing the boundaries of privacy. See-through clothing was incredibly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, making a revival in 2008. Skilfully, the fashion house has combined the trends of the new season, making an exquisite garment.Following with their Italian roots, Dolce and Gabbana followed suit by using vibrant floral patterns above a calf-length garment adorned with silver sparkling sequins. The high necked garment acted as if to shield the body, with the sequins mimicking sharp knives protruding from the body, harming anyone that dares to stare; a sharp contrast to the feminine floral design.
In 2016, the world had dropped the fascination with normcore and began to show the freedom that fashion can bring. A copious amount of sequins adorned on a garment may seem like a terrifying concept, not only in regards to the confidence of the wearer, but for those that have to be blinded by them. Hopefully, they are dazzled by your appearance and not the light reflection from the sequins.
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