The FW19 trend report with Chloé Harrouche
Six new-season runway trends you need to try, as showcased by Parisian fashion consultant and creative director of Loulou Studio CHLOÉ HARROUCHE
’70s SWEATERS
“For me, luxury is about detail – the small things that make the difference between a basic piece and a good-quality piece – and a great knit is the ultimate elevated basic. I always look for timeless pieces with a twist. I want to be comfortable in my clothes and not think too much about what I wear in the morning. I invest in knits that I can wear for more than one or two seasons and that work with the more ‘fashion’ outfits I wear. I like a retro knit that’s soft on the skin and that you can wear with neutral, directional pieces – one that you can wear with a belt to the office and then style a different way if you go out for dinner after work.”
“For casual elegance, I like to accessorize a retro knit with a simple tote bag and jodphur-style pants tucked into knee-high leather boots
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PRINT’S CHARMING
“Wearing a pop of print adds an element of interest and freshness to your look, meaning the rest of your outfit can be classic without being boring. It’s fun to mix and layer printed pieces, especially with denim, because it gives them a more masculine, understated feel, which I like. I also love the silk scarf trend; it’s so fun to play with. You can tie one around your bag, your wrist, your head, or tied insouciantly around your neck. It has so many possibilities for one simple item.”
“Prints and patterns are great for trans-seasonal dressing; you can wear tones that you’re drawn to in winter but you’re not leaving summer behind completely
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STRONG SUITS
“I have always loved tailoring, regardless of trends. It gives women a bit of power and I love to play with that masculine twist. To wear a men’s jacket over a dress and boots is the sexiest thing for me. I don’t have wide shoulders so I often wear something oversized to give my silhouette a bit of structure. I love to play with proportions, too; putting a short skirt with an oversized blazer or big pants with a shorter jacket. The idea of wearing a tailored skirt over pants feels very modern. When you try a new trend, it's so important for you to feel comfortable in it – and this is the perfect balance of something that is really on-trend but still very chic.”
“Changing your shoes is the easiest way to update the feel of a suit: sometimes I go to work in sneakers, sometimes in heels, depending on my mood
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FOREVER LEATHER
“Leather gives me confidence; I love the feel of it. I’ve always admired powerful women and been inspired by the ’80s – it’s the decade I grew up in so my mother was this kind of power-dressing woman. Leather pants are one of my favorite things to wear and I always choose a shape that’s high-waisted and tailored, not too skin-tight or sexy; I think it’s much cooler. When I have an important meeting, I know exactly what to wear: leather pants and a jacket with big shoulders. They make me feel good.”
“Colored leather is a softer choice than black, but I don’t like to wear blocks of too many different colors. I prefer to subtly mix different tones of the same color – orange, for instance
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PUNK SPIRIT
“I didn’t go through a punk phase as a teenager, I was more of a hippy girl, but I wear a lot of black now and, this season, I want more black and gray – I can’t explain why, it’s just a mood. Elements of punk give your look an injection of youthfulness, but you can still look grown-up in it, it just depends on the length of the dress and the jacket you wear. This season’s pieces aren’t too literal, they’re chic with punk-inspired details, which feels more me. It’s not something I would wear from head to toe: you just need a touch and to balance a punky piece with something more simple, like a white shirt or T-shirt, so it looks more modern.”
“Mix punk pieces with classic, feminine accessories to make sure your look is grown-up
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HOT HUES
“I don’t wear color all the time but sometimes I like to add a pop, especially in winter when everything is gray. Usually I opt for muted, natural and warm colors, nothing too bright, and I often mix them with neutral shades, such as beige and cream. I’m French so I don’t like my style to look like I think about my outfit – of course I do think about my outfit, but I don’t want it to look like I do!”
“When I wear something colorful it gives me good energy. I live in Paris and think you need color when you’re in a big city during the gray winter months
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PRESS PLAY
Watch Chloé Harrouche showcase FW19’s biggest trends on the streets of Paris as she shares her insider styling secrets in this exclusive video…
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