Working those stripes with NARCISS

With stripes having never gone out of fashion, it seems very befitting that they were made such a prominent part of the Spring/Summer 2013 collection of the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) online fashion boutique. Items from the collection, ranging from dresses, skirts and tops to trousers, jackets, coats and more besides, continue to flaunt the ability of the label’s fashions to be something apart from the mere trend du jour.

Indeed, it is in many ways much more universal values and inspirations that have long informed NARCISS’ output, with London fashion designer and the brainchild behind NARCISS, Alise Trautmane, ever keen to emphasise the “humble luxury” and sophisticated femininity that underpin her label’s creations. She customarily appropriates elements from something much broader than the latest seasonal mores in her design of impeccably crafted cocktail dresses and designer skirts, as shown by the Spring/Summer 2013 for which the cue was Baltic mythology.

Those familiar with Alise’s creations know what to expect: nothing less than truly unique investment pieces making use of only high quality natural fabrics, while also benefitting from the highest standards of manufacture. However, there has also long been plenty of scope for surprise, with the current collection finding ever-intriguing new ways to incorporate time-honoured elements of Baltic folklore – such as Austra’s tree – into designs that are nonetheless freshly contemporary.

Similarly, one might imagine that there is a limit to what more can be done with stripes that could possibly entice fashionistas, with vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, thin stripes, thick stripes and even black and white stripes – not to mention those consisting of various more vibrant or natural colours – having all been deployed in the past to effects by turns shocking, stunning or soothing.

Again, however, Alise has shown the many remaining possibilities for stripes when steamed with thematic imagination, technical innovation and a sure sense of what will remain a staple of confident womens’ wardrobes for many seasons to come. Fans of NARCISS’ output are encouraged to ‘stripe their look’ this season by selecting from a host of garments making the most of stripes sometimes horizontal, sometimes vertical, sometimes skinny and sometimes jumbo sized, in tribute to a luxury fashion boutique that truly celebrates women feeling great about themselves in a healthy way.

That could mean selecting a dress like the rose-yellow semi-sheer Auseklite Dress for £420, the £260 yellow and pink semi-sheer Iris Dress or perhaps even the Laima Semi-Sheer Dress, an ivory silk dress with lace aplique, which can now be bought for £428. Alternatively, it could mean opting for the Stella Skirt, a £379 maxi skirt with lace aplique, or even perhaps the edgier styling of the Printed Silk Top with frills, available to purchase for £249.

Such stripes that draw on aspects like the silver leaves, copper roots and gold branches of Austra’s tree are apparent throughout a range also comprising womens designer jackets and coats, and demonstrate NARCISS’ (http://www.shopnarciss.com) sustained sure-footedness in bringing together universal elements to create fashion lines of instant appeal.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.