Celine

Lena in her N21 flares

Although big pants / flares aren’t always pleasantly seen in the society, let’s be cool about them – if styled well, these pants can easily become an essential of your wardrobe. Noting that the floor-sweeping length is having its appearance everywhere, from Celine Resort 2016 look-book to Rosie Assoulin’s AW16 collection, flares (which not necessarily must be denim!) seem to be an old-school alternative of culottes, which unfortunately don’t suit everybody due to their very, very difficult silhouette. Worn with a lace, slip top or a DsQuared bomber with a badass, J-Lo fur hoodie, the big pants work with almost everything. And, what’s the most attracting about this unsung must-have, is that you can truly have fun with them. Make them look slouchy (Y/Project autumn-winter 2016), chic (N21 cappuccino shaded version) or on fleek (Balmain AW07) – and remember to free your inner Jane Birkin.

So, are the big pants having a 2016 tale?

Fendi SS99

Y/Project AW16

Fendi SS99

Eckhaus Latta SS16

Céline AW16

Carla Bruni in her apartment

Rosie Assoulin AW16

Céline Resort 2016

Balmain by Chistopher Decarnin SS07

Fendi SS99

N21 SS16 on Lena

Maison Margiela in the 90’s

It’s not a secret that women with attitude inspire fashion, and the designers. This season, we had a range of different characters – from aristocratic femme fatale to a lady who travelled the world, the season of autumn-winter 2016 is definitely dedicated to the women, who made history. Or, at least, are the important chapters in fashion chronicles.

Marchesa Luisa Casati x Dries Van Noten

Aristocratic suits, piqué shirts, gold lamé shoes, leopard-spot pantalons and the radiating soigné manner surrounding the smoky-eyed women. It’s a story reviving Marchesa Luisa Casati, the woman with her iconic pet-cheetahs obsession and a memorable collection of pearl necklaces. The Belgian designer mused “she pushed decadence as a lifestyle, but was never happy” – indeed, the collection was shrounded in melancholic mystery. The masculine coats, celebrating Casati’s lover, Gabriele D’Annunzio, and white shirts tucked in tweed pants were all about Dries’ imaginary woman, who shares her man’s wardrobe and reads, maybe, books about existence. Decadence and Van Noten – a match made in heaven, making this season a highlight for the designer.

Anne-France Dauthville x Chloé

With her favourite, laid-back signatures, Clare Waight Keller revived the spirit of a Frenchwoman, Anne-France Dauthville, who travelled across Europe and Middle East on her motorcycle in the 70s. One of the looks was basically a motocross combo of a jacket and a pair of pants, styled with off-duty biker boots. With ecru foulards tied around necks, the girls wore the best-selling, ruffled silk and lace dresses, while the opening look was a voluminous, travel-forward poncho. Watching Chloé’s AW16 collection, you felt like THIS girl is a truly carefree soul.

Comme Des Garçons x Marie Antoinette

Although Rei Kawakubo isn’t a fan of mood-boards, her latest collection for Comme des Garçons was everything – punk, sexy, deviant and royal. The closing look worn by Anna Cleveland, so the pastel-pink, leather piece with exaggerated, ruffled sleeves was a defiant reconstruction of Marie Antoinette’s coat, in which she would surely have a cupcake, or two. Just like Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna von Habsburg-Lothringen, the Queen of France and Navarre, Kawakubo is against the flow.

Celine x Donna Karan

Although Donna Karan closed her main line last year, and left DKNY for the Public School boys, her influence from the 80’s and 90’s felt distinct in Phoebe Philo‘s relaxed season at Celine. The flowing silhouettes and extremely wearable pieces are so effortless that every woman would love to wear Philo’s clothes nowadays. This was totally the same goal for Karan back in the days – she made her clothes so comfortable that they instantly became the second skin for her New York clients. Nearly invisible in wearing – timeless, seasonless and ageless. But not boring!

Women, who’ve inspired the designers for autumn-winter 2016 season are (or were) all absolutely original in their lifestyle and way of being. Which one reflects you in fashion? Or, maybe you’re not identifying with any of them? Would love to hear your thoughts!