Splurge or Steal: Painterly Prints
On many runways this spring, painterly prints enlivened simple silhouettes. The print can be the focal point of the outfit to make it stand out, or it can be one part of an interesting mix. The mix is harder to pull off, but it looks very modern.
As a focal point, a simple bikini becomes a work of art when splashed with a vibrant pattern. At $355, the Chloé swimsuit is a deal compared to the stratospherically high prices of the line’s clothing. Speaking of Chloé, although the Spring collection was well-received, the chief designer Paulo Melim Andersson was fired due to a lack of profitability. Thankfully, Stefano Pilati has had more luck at Yves Saint Laurent since taking the reigns in 2004. He has experimented with painterly prints in the past, but this season he takes it to the next level with charmingly half-painted cork heels. A similar concept at a more reasonable price is Anthropologie’s ombre tote. These pieces can also be inspiration for your own designs if you feel like experimenting with some fabric paint.