From gardens to fabrics, flowers reign supreme.

Cherry blossoms in the photos above and below right were taken this April in a private garden in Eastbourne, the celebrated sunshine-coastal town in the south of the UK.  Photos © Lucia Carpio.

All women love flowers, Stefano Gabbana was heard saying last week at the Tokyo National Museum where he and his designing partner Domenico Dolce staged an extravaganza to showcase their exuberant designs as a tribute to Japanese culture.

Nearly 100 one-of-a-kind designs were presented to coincide with hanami, the Japanese fesstival celebrating the sakura cherry blossoms.

Indeed flowers bloom marvelously each spring in one form or another around the world for the admiration of women and men alike and have provided great inspiration for international designers the like of Dolce & Gabbana.

Fancy fabrics from SanMartin, Bella Tella, Tiss et Teint.  
Photo by London's Textile Forum  (March 15-16 2017).

At the Textile Forum show held this Spring in London's One Marylebone, fancy fabrics featuring the floral theme answered to the call for intricate embellishments, as presented by a number of fabric companies, textured with embroidery, appliques or sequins, on velvets and laser-cuts.

“Fabric designers have produced some of the most elaborate ranges we have seen at Textile Forum since the show was launched in 2002,” says co founder and organiser Linda Laderman.  “Suppliers have moved up a gear when it comes to creativity in texture, pattern and colour and are keen to introduce British quirkiness in design and artisanal techniques, to provide exciting collections to tempt fabric buyers.

“While there is an overall mood of optimism among the majority of exhibitors, there is no doubt that trade is going to be more difficult this year and prices have risen a little. With the decision to leave the EU and the uncertain consumer market, innovation, matched with exceptional service, are going to be the keystones for winning business.” 

At Bella Tela the Koh-i-Nor diamond and the regal florals found within the British monarchy regalia have provided the inspiration for its spring/summer 18 collection. Called Ethereal, it features 100 new designs and has used traditional artisan techniques mixed with delicate laser and intricate embroidery, with colours inspired by the fragmentation of light that occurs through the stone, so includes tones found between colours of blush, rose and coral as well as a new faint heron grey and subtle golden tones.
James Hare is responding to the return of colour in bridalwear with two new pastels - spring rose and blue prism – introduced into its chantilly lace group and a rose to co ordinate with its crepe backed satin and chiffon palette.

Sequinned appliques for bridal wear at Textile Forum.
  Photo © Lucia Carpio.

Lace continues to be strong with a new guipure featuring an intricately patterned, yet elegant, for a traditional style gown with a modern twist, available in black or white.

A selection of lace fabrics as seen at the Textile Forum in London.  Photo © Lucia Carpio.

Laces, intricate and delicate, from Bradshaw and Bradshaw, Cluny Lace and Michael's Bridal Fabrics.
Photo by Textile Forum.

Michael’s Bridal Fabrics, which has also extended its range of laser cuts with 3D effects, has a guipure with laser cut panels and another with embroidery and beading. It has also introduced its first print designs, including one on silk organza and will also have some new Italian jacquards.
As more brides now realise that the back of their dress is as important as the front, Michael’s Bridal Fabrics is offering a back panel design with a crystalled/beaded motif on each shoulder area, which is linked together by several layers of looped crystal or clear beaded bands.