From Balenciaga’s s/s collection dubbed ‘Baroccoco’ with ornate ruffled collars and brocade fabrics, autumn/winter has certainly established a love for costume drama. Unashamedly feminine, romantic and escapist, the costume drama trend is the perfect way to indulge in a bit of fantasy! Dolce and Gabbana sent post-baroque Jane Austen heroines down the catwalk in all its empire line and ruffles glory whist Chanel presented French revolutionary, swashbuckling style in grand frock coats and leather boots.

 This is definitely a trend for your style notebook. Fast-forward to spring/summer ’07 and the shows were inundated with a plethora of historical, romantic references as designers embrace ‘retro’ on a whole new level! There is a bit of a gothic feel following through from autumn/winter- something a bit more mysterious and darkly poetic about the spring ‘costume drama’ story. History gets remixed with a contemporary punky edge and fused with countless historical ideas.

 You only have to look at the Gardem collection; raw edges, hanging shreds of fabric, corset print blouses worn with leggings and a dash of unconventional spring black provides a familiar but fresh punkish vibe. In addition, McQueen produced a bright spring time beauty with hand painted fabrics, ostentatiously oversized taffeta hats, extraordinary exaggerated sculpted hips and dresses made from fresh flowers, offering a stunning theatrical vision of 18^th century fantasy.

 In keeping with the fantasy line is Elle4Lisa, an off-schedule brand who presented their ‘Montagues & Capulets’ story during London Fashion Week in ethereal, other worldly couture creations inspired by a love for legendary extravagant icons like Madame Pompadour. And if the remixed romance story couldn’t get more eclectic, just take a peek at the latest Fashion Fringe winner, Gavin Douglas’s offering. His voluminous bustle skirts, corset tops and brocade worked with a ‘street’ edge as the designer strives for ‘urban beats fused with ethnic diversity’.

 If this all sounds a bit mind blowing and /or confusing to you, the key ingredients to look out for are as thus; volume, ruffles, delicate or satin fabrics, ornate prints and provocative black. Whilst you’ve got the chance, live your fantasy as a period drama princess….

By Becky Lyon