Travel the world with the women’s 2018 Cruise collections

Cruise collections, otherwise known as Resort or Holiday collections, are created with the jet set in mind. So it is only natural that they take their inspirations from various locations around the globe.

This year’s designs see an influence from places that are rich in heritage and culture. Some of the runway shows even transported audiences to different corners of the world using vivid visual imagery.

But travel doesn’t always lead to exotic destinations. The bright lights and excitement of big cities have an appeal too, as seen in sleek monochromatic pieces that draw from urban vigour.

Here, we have some of the highlights of the season.

Wild beauty

The discovery of France’s Lascaux cave in 1940 had a profound influence on artists of the time. But it was only 11 years later that Christian Dior appropriated its rock paintings to create a print for his Ovale line.

It is this wild and ancient vibe that now guides artistic director of the women’s collections, Maria Grazia Chiuri, throughout her first cruise collection for the Dior fashion house.

Female handprints, reinterpretations of the original forms, were seen as magnificent sequined embroideries. Wild wolves made an appearance on silk jacquards too, where they shimmer in ochre against a background of black.

Modern antiquity

It was the landscape of ancient Greek ruins that greeted guests at Chanel’s 2018 Cruise runway show. In this timeless setting, Karl Lagerfeld presented his vision of an imaginary antiquity.

Flowing lines, draped silhouettes and sunburst pleats were the highlights. The models wore tweed, jersey, silk, linen, knits, lace and crepon with brightly coloured column-­heeled gladiator sandals.

Concluding the collection were draped dresses and tunics with prints of laurel wreaths and oak leaves dotted with ­camellias. Long dresses with fitted waists embroidered with sequins celebrated an idea of eternal beauty as well.

Bold future

Bottega Veneta presented a contemporary interpretation of a Cruise collection this year. Instead of designing for women who are going away, the label focused on those staying put in the city.

“Nobody buys clothes for some time in the future, to go away eventually. They buy clothes that they want to wear right now,” stated creative director Tomas Maier, on how his designs are anchored in the “now”.

The botanical theme, including wildflowers and field grass designs in more than 30 different colours, were however inspired by the illustrations of German Renaissance artist Albrecht Durer.