I really struggled to find runway collections that were easily translatable to everyday streetwear, work attire, and evening wear in the 2024 Fall/Winter Runway Collections. Last year there were some pretty outlandish runway collections that targeted creative extremists. This year I saw a repeat of that aesthetic. You only have to look at the Viktor & Rolf Fall 2024 Couture Collection to understand what I'm talking about. Not everyone is bold enough to wear this much structure within an outfit, or pair patterns and textures in such a reckless fashion, so I will highlight the colours and collections I believe people are actually going to wear this season.
BALMAIN
Balmain (pronounced ballmah) is an iconic luxury fashion house that sets the trends yet maintains a "classic chic". The Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear Collection perfectly illustrates this. The pairing of classic neutrals and fabric structure combined with trendy elements is amazing. Everyone will want to wear them! This collection also features the military influence which is so popular this year. The coats have large structured shoulders with gold button detailing, notched lapels and pleats; the peplum jackets have criss-cross chest panels; and the pleated tulip pants pair amazingly well with everything. There is so much detail my eyes can't catch it all! My favorite garment is the neutral-toned flared skirt with the drop-down handkerchief hem off one side. Just fabulous! Regardless of your budget you have to see this collection. You will find these same elements added to more affordable versions in your favorite stores this coming season.
Photo: Balmain Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear Fashion Show,
Vogue Magazine, Vogue Runway / Pinterest
ELIE SAAB
One colour you will be seeing a lot of this winter is Pantone's "Rose Violet" and it is highly saturated. Elie Saab, the Lebanese fashion designer with workshops in Lebanon, Milan and Paris is totally on board with it, offering seven different gown styles of the shade to his Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear Collection. He will definitely give you the inspiration you need to add this beautiful colour to your winter wardrobe. Many skintones can wear it and it pairs well with the black and navy in your closet so don't be shy about adding the hue to your closet this coming fall and winter!
Photo: Elie Saab Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear Fashion Show,
Vogue Magazine, Vogue Runway / Pinterest
JOHANNA ORTIZ
I always enjoy seeing what Johanna Ortiz brings to the table because her fabrics are richly saturated and her patterns uniquely distinct. Johanna is a Columbian fashion designer who studied in Paris and New York before returning to her hometown of Cali and launching her lucrative career. Every season she has some entirely new patterns to showcase, which are eye-catching to say the least. I love the rich scarlet flocked poppies she attached to the barely there column dress in her Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear Collection. She was likely inspired by Pantone's "Scarlet Smile" hue. Her pastel pink halter dress with the diagonal cascading ruffles also features rich red watercolour poppies posited lazily about it. The collection features several choices of uniquely different poppy prints for every style of dress. Poppies are the fleur de la saison, or flower of the moment, so be sure to add them in some form or another to update your winter wardrobe!
Photo: Johanna Ortiz Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear Collection,
Vogue Magazine / Pinterest
MARY KATRANTZOU
Another favourite designer of mine is Mary Katrantzou. Mary is a Greek fashion designer based in London, UK. She, like Johanna Ortiz, never ceases to amaze with her playful patterns and colour combinations. Her Pre-Fall 2024 Collection is absolutely full of dreamy inspiration. If you prefer cool colour tones you will love her latest dress collection in pink, blue, and emerald green ornate patterns set against cream backgrounds. It's also a feast for the eyes when you are a lover of eclectic patterns. There is a darling mini plisse dress with a halter neckline in rainbow pastels showcasing a vertically elongated chevron pattern; an amazing fit-n-flare dress with brocade-type patterns strategically placed about it that is as feminine as they come; a gorgeous robin's egg blue tea-length gown with a pretty floral bodice that will garner major attention when you walk into a room; and several different dress styles embossed with ornate patterns that emulate green goddesses. Mary was clearly inspired by Pantone's "Adventurine" shade this season and it's "Winter Sky" hue!
Photo: Mary Katrantzou Pre-Fall 2024 Fashion Show,
Vogue Magazine, Vogue Runway / Pinterest
MAX MARA
Max Mara is an Italian fashion brand originally founded in 1951 by Achille Maramotti. It distributes ready-to-wear collections that are accessible through better department stores. They offer quality garments at slightly higher price points than most department stores but do go on sale at each season's end. The Pre-Fall 2024 Collection contains some very on-trend elements added to their usual classic aesthetic. You will see a lot of rounded shoulders with a variety of sleeve shapes including structured flounce sleeves, ruffled sleeves, and wide cap sleeves; crew necklines with structured leg-o-mutton sleeves; and oversize coats with wide notched lapels. I would describe the collection as "classic with an edge" because it contains elements that really make the collection stand out. It retains it's classic aesthetic with the typical colours offered in a classic wardrobe; black and tan, chocolate brown, cream, black, and red. The designers likely received inspiration from Pantone's "Raw Umber" tan shade with brown undertones, and it's "Scarlet Smile" shade which is glamorous and cheerful.
Photo: Max Mara Pre-Fall 2024 Collection, Editorialist / Pinterest
ROBERTO CAVALLI
Roberto Cavalli was an Italian fashion designer and inventor who never ceased to amaze. His exotic jewel-tone prints and pattern combinations were like nothing I've ever seen. He passed away in early April this year but his fashion house is still going strong. If you need some inspiration for patterns and textures this fall, the Roberto Cavalli Pre-Fall 2024 Collection has it all. Keeping with Pantone's Fall 2024 Colour Palette they have done some interesting things with it. There's the "Adventurine" green muumuu with a pattern that resembles splashing sea water and boots to match; a near to floor-length coat with a "Buckthorn Brown" Appaloosa print over matching trousers; and a "Moonstruck" shadow grey halter-neck dress with a combination cheetah/zebra print. So creative! With the dark brown herringbone blazer and a classic cowboy hat topping it off the collection feels more down-to-earth and relatable than it otherwise might.
Photo: Roberto Cavalli Pre-Fall 2024 Collection, WWD / Pinterest