As the long summer days approach and the evenings become gloriously balmy, our thoughts naturally turn to resort wear. I love to be inspired by the season and the iconic places where we can live out our Dolce vita fantasy. Resplendent in fun vibrant colors, flattering silhouettes, and luxuriously breathable fabrics. Summer is a time to have fun, relax, daydream and soak up all the memories that will last a lifetime.
This month at Chic Icon we have selected brands that are synonymous with resort wear, and will give you the ultimate inspiration for our favorite season.
ZIMMERMANN
One can’t think of resort wear without thinking of this exciting brand. Famous for its incredible floral prints and flatteringly feminine designs, this is the go-to brand for anyone in the know. One glance and you know that dress or bikini is ZIMMERMANN. This iconic Australian label stays true to its original vision: sophisticated femininity, clever color combinations, and delicate original prints.
Sisters Nicky and Simone ZIMMERMANN founded their namesake label in 1991. They very quickly won a loyal following of smart, sartorially savvy women with an eye for quality fabrics and clever cutting. They have gone from strength to strength since then, becoming one of the leaders of resort wear fashion globally.
100% Capri
This innovative linen company is a creation of Antonino Aiello, who has ideated linen collections changing the vision of linen in fashion. Based in Naples Italy, they select natural linen fabric of the highest quality from European cultivation. Their manufacturing process has a history of traditional Italian tailoring mixed with modern technology. They use linen as if it were part of your skin, resulting in a luxuriously natural experience for the customer.
The brand itself believes it is not just a fabric, it is the essence of simplicity and the purity of beauty. I myself know this brand well, having shopped at their beautiful Capri locations for years. They also have stores all over the world from Miami to Dubai. They have collections for Women, Men, and Home, but their children’s collections will make your heart swoon! These designs are elegant, comfortable, and timeless. Ideal for the person who wants to look chic and sophisticated whether they’re stepping on a yacht, going for a beach lunch, or walking in the city with a gelato in hand.
Jacquemus
Simon Porte Jacquemus started his own label over 12 years ago when he was just a young man of 19. Credited with bringing a freshness to Paris’ fashion scene, his collections are deconstructed, surrealist, and often a little risqué. His barely-there cardigan was the hit of social media last year, seen on influencers, models, and celebrities alike.
The brand takes typical French concepts like the Breton stripe and twists them into something fun for the modern woman. He works in the space between commercial and conceptual. He cites the Japanese brand Comme des Garçons as one of his influences, and this can be seen in his deconstructed shirts, dresses, and jackets. His use of color makes his designs so uniquely his own and are perfect for a chic resort moment. It’s often very difficult to find modern resort wear and Jacquemus excels at this. You won’t feel out of place or too “beachy” walking along with the Spanish steps in Rome in one of his tailored dresses. His designs are as perfect for an upscale city drink as they are a decadent lazy lunch at a resort beach club.
Laboratorio Capri
Another Capri brand that lives and breathes quality, design, and La Dolce vita! This family-run business dates back to the 1960s. Originally called Gigino Tailor’s, it was a favorite of the international jet-set, thanks to the expertise and talent of the two exceptional tailors, Luigi and Maria Luisa.
Since 2010, the shop has been known as Laboratorio Capri, evolving to include a full collection of rigorously handmade pieces. Keeping the family business up to date are the two sons, Michele and Augusto, who select and suggest artisans that reinterpret the style and taste of the 50s and 60s. This is one of my favorite stores to visit and I’m not alone. Linda Fargo, the renowned buyer for Bergdof Goodman’s in New York is a devoted fan of this little boutique and its incredible style. Think fit and flare dresses with whimsical designs, adorable shorts, chic shirts, handcrafted bags, and fabulous accessories. This little shop packs a sartorial punch!
Pucci
Now Pucci is no newcomer to resort wear. In fact, they have been a leader in this field since the 1950s, thanks to their iconic geometric prints in a kaleidoscope of colors. Celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Jackie Kennedy, and Madonna have all been fans of their trailblazing style. However, they are enjoying a renewed sense of appreciation lately, perhaps due to the younger generation of fashionistas discovering this Iconic brand.
Credit must also be given to their new artistic director, Camille Micelli, who defines the Florentine House’s new direction as “A New Journey”. Focusing on a modern way of thinking, living, and moving, well beyond style, she has reinvented an ultra-contemporary way of dressing, deeply rooted in the history of the House of Pucci. Now is the perfect moment to dive into colour and print this summer and experience the joy and exuberance of this iconic Italian resort brand.
Wherever you are this summer, enjoy your fashion, with the sun on your skin and a spring in your step. Summer is fun and fabulous the Chic Icon way!
Text by Pamela McKillop
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