Top Trend: Pleats

Spring has officially begun and we’re giving you the one trend you must fold into your closet for the warmer days ahead: plenty of pleats, please!

Timeless and resolutely feminine, the fabric-folding technique continuously inspires designers. But this season there was a true plethora of pleats on the catwalks. From Marni’s voluminous pastel dress to Elie Saab’s flamboyant Greek goddess gown not forgetting Céline carmine red dress, the expansive fabric treatment was embraced by designers from all four of the fashion capitals.

Pleated looks from Celine, Issey Myake, Elie Saab / Imaxtree.com

Simple yet stylish, Issey Miyake’s emblematic micro pleats are now at the heart of the DNA of the avant garde brand. Miyake has always been obsessed by fabrics and innovative ways of using them. So back in 1993 the Japanese designer launched “Pleats Please”, a stand-alone label dedicated to this one particular textile technique. Since then the reactive, feel good treatment has won the heart of women all around the world with its ingenious fusion of creativity and technology. The blue under the knee dress above perfectly embodies Miyake’s core values: light in weight, easy to handle, a dream to pack and perfect for everyday life. The dress’s geometric, almost psychedelic, pattern gives the classic pleats a hypnotic and futuristic dimension.

Pleats as seen on the Loewe, Christopher Kane and Adam Selman / Imaxtree.com

Whether they are knife, accordion, or superfine crystal, the delicate folds add not only a unique sense of movement to any outfit but also imbues them with an inherently elegant demeanor . At Loewe, pleats were fringed and accessorized with high boots and an oversized bag giving more volume and character to the silhouette. Christopher Kane put some glitter on his high slit silver party dress while Adam Selman delivered a casual chic version of the pleats with a backless striped top and a matching flared skirt.

So forget your preconcived “schoolgirl uniform” notions about pleats. They have gratuated to a new level of sartorial sophistication.