No longer a feature reserved for bohemian blouses or sailor trousers, lacing is ubiquitous on MAGIC’s show floor this season.
After maintaining a small but steady presence on the runway in recent years, spotlighted by heavy-hitting designers like Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang and Chanel, as well as establishing prominence within denim markets, the detail is now hitting full stride and is interpreted for all ages, aesthetics and product categories.
When partnered with oversize metal grommets, thick laces give garments a modern utilitarian look that appeals to young yet sophisticated “cool girls” everywhere. True denim labels have demonstrated this take on the trend for many seasons and other brands are now joining in, showcasing the style on jean items, as well as other heavy woven fabrics.
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Popular label Dolce Vita’s fall collection features a denim dress — one of this season’s hot items — with large silver-tone grommets and wide, woven tape securing its sides together. Similarly, hip line Glamorous weaves laces through parallel stripes of riveted metal hooks on a trucker jacket, backing them with black tape for emphasis.
Neckline lacing — often associated with the exotically seductive aesthetics of European designers like Roberto Cavalli — takes a new direction with plush velvet ribbon on a pullover by L.A.-based label Rails. Knitwear is a key category for the trend and many of MAGIC’s vendors are using lacing details to update otherwise simple sweater and/or cut-and-sew silhouettes.
Crisscross waistline lacing creates a corseted effect on a jersey T-shirt dress by playful Australian label Minkpink, while fellow Aussie Some Days Lovin offers a sweater with two sets of color-matched cords weaving diagonally outwards from center hem to waistline and extending onto the style’s sleeves. Ropes run down the back center seam of a jacket by the same brand, providing decorative detail, as well as a means to adjust the slit at its hem.