French luxury fashion brand Longchamp unveiled its Autumn 2013 ready-to-wear collection in Hong Kong last week.
The collection follows up the brand's architectural spring theme by stepping indoors to explore the worlds of three celebrated interior designers _ Andre Arbus, architect, sculptor and decorator of the 1940s; Madeleine Castaing, antique dealer and interior designer extraordinaire of the 1960s; and David Hicks, the iconic interior-design star of the 1970s. Their styles not only defined their time, but also shaped the creative vision of future generations.
The collection interprets the season's interior light-and-shade theme in contrasting colours and textures. In particular, a series of two-tone pieces epitomise the graphic, pared-down mood, to which touches of fur and pops of colour bring luxury and luminosity.
Bright fuchsia fluid silk dress and Quadri bag.
The silhouettes are long and lean, featuring cigarette pants in supple lambskin or warm wool, topped off by cute blousons, maybe with a fox-fur collar, or _ a more relaxed option _ cosy oversize cardigans in wool and mohair.
One of the standout looks is a silk jumpsuit in two-tone white and black or black and khaki, teamed with high-heeled ankle boots for maximum leg-lengthening potential.
Outerwear is a key focus and ranges from the luxurious _ a chic coat combining panels of lamb fur, tweed and lambskin leather _ to the sporty, in the form of nylon blousons in the collection's star Fauve and feather prints. The wild Fauve print also features on one of Longchamp's signature pieces: a collarless, zipped coat dress in calf fur.
In addition to graphic black and white, the autumnal colour palette plays on rich, warm shades of camel and khaki, bronze and cumin. The feather print is at its most feminine in lush plum tones, with an occasional pop of bright fuchsia such as on a fluid silk dress toughened by military-style epaulettes.
In leather goods, the season's big story is the launch of the new, casual-chic Quadri collection in supple sheep leather embossed with a criss-cross grain. The choice of colours ranges from everyday staples such as black, clay and ecru to vibrant carmine and cedar. Three spacious shapes are available _ a hobo, a shopper and a hand-held tote _ along with a smaller cross-body bag.
The Quadri tote is aimed for everyday use as it is packed with practical features, including several inside pockets, two strong handles and a removable shoulder strap. The on-trend cross-body bag is great for hands-free days. The spacious shopper and the roomy hobo also come with an ingenious adjustable strap. Functional and fashionable, all come accessorised with their own cute charm: a leather tag and metal plate engraved with the Longchamp symbol.
Other highlights include Le Pliage Python in calf leather, Le Pliage Patch Exotic with a mix of materials on a felt base, Longchamp 3D with a whole series of colours, Roseau Box with a fusion of design and innovative materials, and Pois that exudes the glitter of the 1960s.
Last but not least, the Longchamp shoe collection _ now more extensive than ever _ interprets the season's key themes on a wide range of styles and introduces its first-ever sneakers.
The Autumn 2013 collection will be available at the Longchamp flagship store, first floor of Siam Paragon, and at all Longchamp counters in leading department stores early next month. Call 02-610-9408.
The new Autumn 2013 shoes collection.
