Florals

If Suno's Erin Beatty and Max Osterweis are feeling any pressure as a result of winning the CFDA's Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent in Womenswear earlier this month, you can't tell it from their Resort 2014 collection. In fact, this collection seems to epitomise everything that this design duo does best: pattern-mixing, interesting yet wearable silhouettes, and an unmistakable feeling of fun. What else would one call the first dress in this collection, which mixes brown and blue stripes and a heart print with a blue lattice? What better way to characterise the plaid t-shirt with a spray of florals around the collar, or the blue-and-white striped jumpsuit with floral patch pockets? Even the fresh eye they've turned to fabric combinations (we're referring to the polka-dotted silk-polyester blend and, of course, the short-sleeved vinyl dress) seems more like a charming wink than a commitment to experiment with new territory. Not that we would mind if they did.

Adhering to his Old Hollywood-glamour M.O., Zac Posen centered his Resort collection on a lavish mix of body-conscious evening gowns, made doubly dramatic with corseted bodices, structural origami-like folds, voluminous sleeves, and floor-skimming trains. But it wasn't just the attention to silhouette that supplied Posen's collection with something altogether luxurious. He used a wide range of colours — brick red, soft creams, and dainty butterfly patterns among them — to illustrate a certain lusciousness outside of the gown's shape. And to drive home the point of this collection's universal appeal, he cast mother-daughter model duo Pat and Anna Cleveland as his lookbook muses. The more formal gowns aside, there was still room for shorter (read: knee-length) dress iterations and velvet-embroidered separates to make an appearance, the kind of romantic, floral-printed staples that look like they've been plucked fresh from a garden party scene.

Source: Courtesy of Zac Posen

A more romantic version of Tory Burch came through in her Resort 2014 collection, and the result gave real reason to look forward to packing for the next jet-set getaway. For the designer, it was all in the art of duality, of juxtaposition, and of harmonious (if not unexpected) pairings. "How do you take a Moroccan hat and a painting by Édouard Manet and make the combination work? Resort 2014 celebrates the spirit of the mix, where inspirations play off each other in different textures and prints," said Burch. In as much, you'll find painterly florals paired with jeweled embellishments as easily as you would pleated chiffon with a novelty hat. Burch aimed for a feminine yet far-flung feel where accessories were concerned, introducing patterned low heels, beaded straw bags, and cut-out cuffs.

Liberty London has lent it's inimitable florals to global brands like that of of Nike and Levi's, but Australia's very own Sportscraft has been getting a piece of the floral-adorned pie since 2006. What started as a bespoke shirt service using the UK brand's iconic prints has turned into a homewares venture. We spotted a pile of these adorably cushions sitting quietly on the floor at Sportscraft's S/S showing last week and are happy to report that will be able to order your own online as of July.

There are two sizes (petite $59.95 and grande $69.95) and nine exclusive Liberty Art House prints to chose from — the only hard bit is choosing between the illustrated botanical, neon-flecked ditsy floral or peacock graphics. Step inside to see some of our favourite fabrications. 

Two gorgeous Aussie girls both following their modelling dreams in New York City, and two killer sets of off-duty style. We think that both Miranda Kerr and Jessica Hart do a great job of representing Australian style on the NYC streets, but who does it best? Miranda favours a more polished, put-together aesthetic — complete with a full arsenal of designer shoes and bags — whereas Jessica has a penchant for vintage (we uncovered her eBay habit) and more low-key looks in comparison. Step inside to see the similarities and then tell us who's off-duty style you hart heart the most. 

Liberty London is an old hand at pulling off stylish collaborations with cred. In the past the UK print-powerhouse has lent its distinctive floral and fauna graphics to brands including Kenzo, Nike and our very own Sportscraft, but their latest team effort is with a first-timer to the collab process — Levi's. Both labels herald from wildy different fashion ilks, and yet the resulting collection speaks equally to both the American sportswear aesthetic and the English rose school of style. 

Two custom prints were released for the joint venture; girlying-up spliced chambray anoraks, edging classic 501 cut-off shorts and being laser-burnt into high-waisted skinny jeans. Priced between $69 and $299, the collection is now available in the Levi's Sydney and Melbourne stores as well as online here and here. If you prefer your denim staples served with a side of capital P-pretty, this trans-Atlantic collab is right up your alley. 

In December, the delivery of Oscar de la Renta's Resort 2014 collection will remind shoppers of the beauty of Spring. The offering, presented Tuesday to small groups of editors in de la Renta's New York showroom, was covered in flowers of all kinds: violet blooms were attached to an acid green evening gown, while red bursts of flora adorned a sleeveless houndstooth peplum top, a half-sleeved cardigan, and an A-line dress. That shape and others, like a balloon skirt in rose petal pink, the Watteau back on a strapless cocktail dress, and the many dresses with bateau necklines, recalled the spirit of '50s couture. But the buoyant colour palette and the optimism were decidedly modern. A look at the collection, here in the gallery. Photo courtesy of Oscar de la Renta

We recently took in a preview of Shona Joy's Spring/Summer 2013-'14 collection, and have to say — she made us sit up and take notice. Beautiful custom prints, killer cocktail frocks that walk that tricky sexy/cool line and resort-ready dresses that were begging to be put poolside. It was good. All of it. Here's the sad bit. . . It won't be hitting shelves (virtual or physical) until July. However, we did revisist her current Winter campaign with fresh eyes, and can see the genesis of good things. Oversized cropped trenches, perforated leather minis and plus-sized florals hint at the fresh aesthetic that this local label has been cooking up. And luckily this batch has recently dropped in-stores and online. Mark our words: this girl is on fire. 

An hour before the Easton Pearson runway show began the main hall of Carriageworks was flooded with the Brisbane-based label's loyal client base, dressed to the nines in brand's flamboyant style. The catwalk mirrored the front row in that regard, albeit on a more exaggerated scale of dressage. A rainbow of bold, bright stripes and arty floral prints stormed the runway, models looking like fabulous ladies-who-lunch with their Pantone beehives and bejewelled sandals. Quirky printed separates made for a youthful capsule of mix-and-match separates, but it was the full skirted drama that stole the show. Popped collars on opera coats, feather-adorned cocktail dresses and sequin-strewn full organza ball gown signalled that the EP girls know how to throw a good party. You better switch to some fabulous flats, because you're going to be dancing all night if Easton Pearson has anything to do with it. 

• Colours: The question is more like, what colours weren't there? Bold orange, marigold yellow, cobalt and orange popped against the palest of pinks, violet, khaki, navy and sky blue.
• Trends: Bold stripes, crop tops, cropped pants, graphic florals and oversized shapes.
• Key Looks: Graphic printed ball gowns, opera coats, mix 'n' match tailored separates in graphic prints and feather-adorned outerwear and detailing on after-five dresses.
• Accessories: Beautifully bejewelled flat leather sandals in pale blue and orange.

Consider Zara's TRF April edition a look at pastels, florals, and '90s-inspired denim through a cooler lens. Essentially, if you've deemed any of the season's big trends too sweet or maybe just not wearable, this lineup could quickly change your mind with its easy, albeit eye-catching, ways to outfit everything from softer colour palettes to printed sandals. White boyfriend jeans are topped with a sporty zip-up that's washed in a global, graphic pattern; flower-print separates feel more sporty than girlie, thanks to a sweatshirt-style top; and acid-washed denim gets a moto-inspired makeover. In short, Zara does what it does best (yet again), turning out the most wearable versions of even the trickiest trends and styling it all just right. Needless to say, the lineup invokes an immediate "we have to have it" reaction to just about every piece. Click through and you'll see just what we mean.