If you've managed to fight your way through winter's fury, a forecast of flourishing florals may have drawn a wry smile. As you shelter in swathes of cashmere, the possibility of a sprig or two shooting up to signal spring is here seems a fond hope.
But fortunately we have fashion to uplift our faded spirits. And fashion being what it is, florals are flowering all over the place. So you can guarantee as soon as even a weak ray of sun shines through, there we will be embracing la vie en rose, tulips en masse and even a bower of blossoms scattered all over sweet little dresses - and much more.
Dries van Noten's recent homage to Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream with all its luscious imagery certainly had me convinced. Though his naturalistic approach may be more of the easy-does-it variety - slouchy trousers, oversized blazers, bomber jackets and spacious T-shirt tunics - a series of wispy-wafty fragile frocks reinforced the fact that flowers are it for the season ahead.
At Marni, designer Consuelo Castiglioni created a positive flower bed full of embroidery, sequins and beading in floral appliques, while Phoebe Philo at Celine shook off her minimalist tag with statement gowns in vintage-inspired floral prints. All of which means we should expect the delivery of a burgeoning floral bouquet soon. Look for blossoms and blooms of every botanical species splashed with abandonment over an assortment of fabrics from crisp cottons to gauzy linens, in styles and shapes running the gamut from lingerie to loafers. For a fresh take on flora and fauna, follow these suggestions.
