Peter Dundas’ rules of style
Having sat at the helm of Roberto Cavalli, Emilio Pucci and Emanuel Ungaro, it was only a matter of time before designer PETER DUNDAS launched his own label. Here, the creative director shares his words of wisdom on style, sex and the ’70s
BE IMPULSIVE
“Fashion is about being fearless. Wear things you love, but don’t worry about them fitting together – sometimes when you experiment with your favorite pieces, you get the best result.”
FASHION SHOULD BE FUN
“It should never make you feel bad about yourself, or sad. It should be uplifting. If you look good on the outside, you feel good on the inside.”
KEEP IT MODERN
“I love the ’70s; everyone knows it’s my decade. I love the women, the music, the decadence and the fashion’s sensuality. But I don’t expect women to wear it literally – you don’t want to look like you’re in costume. Integrate a few pieces into your wardrobe and wear with denim. Undo a few buttons on your blouse and give it sex appeal rather than a hippie aesthetic.”
EXPERIMENT WITH COLOR
“There are certain colors that put you in a better mood when you wear them; they create a visual impression. It’s not by chance that little girls always want pink, it’s so uplifting. I always have a yellow dress in my collections – it suits everyone and it will transform you into a golden girl!”
BALANCE IS EVERYTHING
“I don’t like anything to look too perfect. I like a balance in clothing to make it look loved and lived in. Like combining a gold suit with a band T-shirt, or a pair of Converse with a maxi dress.”
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
“I love a perfect pedicure, even if you don’t show it off and it’s just for you. But a smile is the best finish to any outfit.”
BEFORE YOU GO OUT…
“Make love! Nothing will give you more confidence or make you feel sexier before you get dressed for an evening.”
BODY LANGUAGE IS KEY
“It is your greatest weapon, regardless of what you wear. When you are comfortable in your skin it translates in the way you move, enhances your figure and can be magnetic.”
THINK OF DRESSES AS T-SHIRTS
“It’s a cliché, but I like something easy that makes you feel immediately confident and not a prisoner of the look. That’s why I think of my dresses as T-shirts – regardless of how much work has gone into them or how embellished they are, they can be thrown on and forgotten about.”
REMEMBER THE ART OF A GOOD LOOK
“If a woman wants to put something on, and a man wants to take it off, then I know I’ve done my job well.”
SHOP DUNDAS
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