Sharing its namesake with an Italian couturier who loved beautiful women and beautiful cars, it’s unsurprising that the German design house Marc Cain prides itself on offering the finest in quality and exquisite design. Using the newest processing techniques of sewing and print to reconceptualise pan-European and international trends, the founder and owner Helmut Schlotterer uses the collection as a self-confessed ‘declaration of love for a woman’. They conceive of the collection as an amalgamation of co-ordinating and clashing elements which work, in their varying ways, to create harmonic outfits. Using the notion of ‘cross-styling’, Marc Cain uses these contradictory elements to create new styling and silhouettes, and
re-invent classic staples – belted macs are edged-up with metallic fabrics and digital prints are teamed with earthy hues for a clash of facets. A palette of soft, sorbet hues offset military elements and a statement shoulder to combine the fierce and
feminine, edged up with brooches and rhinestones for added glamour. Muted tones of nudes and monochrome give tulle, lace and chiffon a fairytale glamour perfectly complemented by delicate butterfly and floral prints – perfection for Spring/Summer. Flashes of yellows and blues subvert the sweet femininity of the look whilst leather vests and trench coats add a certain sexy je ne sais quoi to the collection. Self-confidence, openness and a sartorial flair epitomise the Marc Cain Woman, and where the collection is classy, glamorous and sensuous, it is also vivacious, expressive and on-trend. For the current season, Marc Cain showcases the following five themes within the Spring/Summer Sports line, emphasising the design house’s strong ethos of catering to all our Jekyll and Hide fickleness.
Spring/Summer Sports line
Sportivity uses modern touches and subtle details to add a touch of luxury to the sportswear aesthetic: net details, high-heeled sneakers, stirrup trousers and military blouses all with frivolous hints of bright grenadine and royal blues explore a re-working of the casual and insouciance of sportswear. Sports luxe at its best.
All-out punky glamour is the vibe of the second theme
Rock Couture
. Exploring a rebellion against fixed structures and silhouettes, the chainmail-esque dresses, leggings baring loud prints and jacquard metallic knits are toughened up by biker jackets and sweetened with hints of lace. which have, of recent seasons, taken the shape of minimalist and overtly-womanly pieces as seen at Louis Vuitton and Phoebe Philo.
Let’s Club
is a defiantly youthful concept of fast fashion, encompassing the trends de rigueur of recent seasons: animal print, Breton stripes and tie-dye coupled with wearable classic silhouettes and hues make for a fun, easy breezy take on modern trend-led staples. Accessorise with plenty of
attitude! Penultimate collection
Softwear
is a new take on modern minimalism with fashion staples such as body-con dresses, wrap-around tops and boyfriend fit shirts re-worked in soft hues of pastels, greys and blues. With a vintage edge, the cut and slanted silhouettes and subtle details such as bows on trousers serve to heighten femininity and emphasise the womanly form. Modern classics in the making.
Paradise Adventure takes us on a journey across the Serengeti, with a stop off at the beach on the way. The implicit military theme seen in belted khaki parkas and cargo shorts is brought to life with zany flashes of colour and mad cap jungle prints. Flowing maxi dresses and embellishments add a fresh vibe to the collection, bringing a new element to the look. Zips, light scarves and cinched-in waists finish off the look to perfection.
Text Jodi Lawler, Fashion Editor
