The call of the wild can be heard on the catwalks, as exemplified by the latest collection from People's Market, writes DEIRDRE MCQUILLAN.
ALL THINGS AFRICAN are enjoying the fashion sunshine at the moment. From top model Jourdan Dunn to the upbeat creations of designers Junya Watanabe (sold in Ireland by Havana, Donnybrook, Dublin 4) who transformed the humble batik print, Miu Miu and McQueen, the fringing, the harem pants, feathered sandals and hot colours – they all provide a breather from the current gloom and from winter’s dark and sombre shades. In London, Prada has financed a hip new venue called the Double Club that gives equal space to Congolese and Western food, drink, music, art and dance.
Africa has always provided fertile ground for designers; nearly 40 years ago Yves St Laurent’s raffia dresses swung their way into fashion even before his signature safari suits, far from the Serengeti or Sahara, made their Paris debut. Leopard and zebra prints have been trusty favourites of designers for decades, their graphic patterns making strong statements; no Dolce Gabbana collection would be complete without its share of animal print, not to speak of fetish footwear.
Dexter Wong, the London-based designer behind the People’s Market label, who hit the club scene in London 20 years ago dressing new-wave bands such as Culture Club and the Thompson Twins, has become something of an institution and is probably better known for offbeat, skinny menswear. This season, the quirky animal prints of his womenswear are just another example of the current African craze filtering down to the high street. It’s a zany mix of ethnic patterns, from graphics of stampeding zebras, grazing giraffes and sprinting antelopes to celestial star bursts, all executed on light, flyaway fabrics such as silk, jersey and chiffon.
Though patterns may be earthy, the look is London and girly; for the “zebra” dress, colours are monochrome, but others come in hot shades, such as a red dress in a similar print with ruffled strap and blouse.
Shapes are 1950s-style dresses along with super-short and maxi dresses and sheer blouses with little details such as cap sleeves, ruche ruffles and elasticated waists adding some urban glamour.
People’s Market is available at Sabotage, Wicklow Street, Dublin 2 and Neola, Main Street, Malahide, Co Dublin, along with other boutiques throughout the country. For complete stockists, call 01-4295007.