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Unlikely pairings make for fresh ideas.
Think counterintuitively when it comes to fashion, beauty and interiors.
Fashion is a form of self-expression and as a family of style pioneers, we've always walked on the side of the less cautious. Think the rebellious Dame Vivienne Westwood or the ever-daring Harry Styles. Experiment and blend style genres in your wardrobe.
“A Beautiful Balance means playing with contrasting brands, colours and fabrics to create new silhouettes,” says Buying Manager, Lucy Kudhail.
“We’ve seen 3D embroidery and embellishments feature on clean tailoring at Stine Goya, flirty lingerie worn layered with solids, leather paired with silky satins.”
Creating an exciting tension doesn’t have to be ground-shaking, it can be a small twist to your colour choice or print mix. It can be taking a fluid, sheer piece and adding structure or blending sharp tailoring with a romantic shirt.
“This season we have taken inspiration from opposites; mixing and layering in a counterintuitive way to create a perfectly imperfect balance.
We love the play of soft and feminine pieces with hard and masculine contrasts though colour, silhouettes, and fabrications, allowing the wearer to express themselves and their attitude in a uniquely personal way, breaking tradition, and stereotypes. From Nanushka’s sharp faux leather gilets, to Marni's playful knits layered with fluid dresses from Victoria Beckham, every piece can be elevated and styled for every occasion, making staple pieces versatile and wearable all year round”, adds Fenwick Head of Luxury, Holly Tenser.
There is beauty to be found in the unbalanced, a twist on your wardrobe favourites that make an outfit feel fresh.
“I love pairing different fabrics and shapes together. Textured and smooth, tailored and drapey, masculine and feminine,” says Menswear Buying Manager, Mithun Ramanandi.
We have some great examples of A Beautiful Balance. My favourite is the Gant Chunky knit layered over a delicate metallic Samsoe Samsoe shirt, paired with drapey Reiss trousers. I also love the stark white shirt with detachable bag by MM6 Margiela teamed with black tailoring and sporty socks and sneakers.”
Where a fresh complexion meets a bold eye and chic meets the undone, beauty is the land of opposites.
“Beauty has always been a balancing act,” says Head of Beauty Buying, Vesa. “Do you opt for a strong eye make-up or a bold lip? No fragrance at all or two to three different scents layered together? A nude lip paired with a wild, almost rebellious blue eyeliner is the perfect example of this contrasting balance.”
Encouraging creativity and self-expression that could rival the clothes, some of the greatest designers gladly let the beauty look take centre stage. Most recently we have seen this revival at the Maison Margiela's Spring 2024 Couture show where models were transformed into porcelain dolls.
Re-examine your makeup bag and see how you can blend a flawless complexion with a pop of bold eyeliner or bring a sense of undone control to your hair.
“Don’t be afraid to take risks and to have fun to find the right balance in your beauty world,” adds Vesa.
Flip interior harmony on its head – mix opposing shapes and textures.
"Creating balance in our homes involves experimenting with contrasting design elements,” explains Buying Manager, Catherine.
“That can be as simple as pairing opposing colours from the colour wheel to lift the mood of a room or building schemes that cleverly balance dark and light, smooth and texture, bold and neutral or contemporary with vintage.”
Delicate ceramics edge next to textured glass, tough leather comes face to face with smooth chrome, neutral hues intoxicated by poison neons and elegant furnishings are caught off guard by kitsch accessories. We no longer seek curated spaces, we want a sense of surprise in every corner of our homes, however subtle.
“The interplay of opposites brings depth and character to a space that can reflect our personalities and really impact the mood, vibrancy and comfort of our homes,” adds Catherine.
