MELBOURNE: Country Road has unveiled a contemporary new direction for winter 08.
With a nod to the 60’s in key womenswear silhouettes, the focus of the range – unveiled at Country Road head office on January 16 – was on detailing and textural contrast, a spokesperson for the retailer confirmed.
"Black is given a fresh new twist with the mix and match of innovative new fabrications and embellishment detail such as wet look plastic and high gloss patent. Black on black dominates with highlights of deep orange, red and purple working off a neutral base of tonal greys, navy and birch."
Silk dresses with sculptural sleeves, sweater knit dresses styled with chunky knit scarves and ovoid coats were also key looks for the season, alongside trench coats updated with high gloss “wet look” fabrications and Glomesh-inspired panel shift dresses with exposed zip detailing.
High waisted pencil skirts, tapered knit suits, tulip tweed skirts and matching cropped 60’s jackets with oversized buttons were targeted at the career dresser, while the height of the season would see statement knitwear and outerwear take centre stage.
In menswear two key themes had emerged: a strong urban look and elegant careerwear. Outerwear -- including fatigue jackets, pea coats with military detailing, utility jackets, puffa vests and long line macs in black nylons – would be rounded off with leather jackets with biker collars, duffel coats with fur hoods and Cromby jackets.
Meanwhile men's shirting would see Italian styling become more detailed, with fits slimmer than previous seasons and pocketed and roll tab sleeves emerging as a key look.