Spring–summer 2003 need not mean pure retro, as three designers depart from the past, reports Corky Davidov

PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICHARD SPIEGEL AND DAN LECCA

Nanette Lepore spring–summer 2003. TOP LEFT: Strapless appliqué top, canvas pant. TOP CENTRE: Peplum top with sweetheart neckline, pegged pant. TOP RIGHT: Empire top with square neck, canvas pant. ABOVE LEFT: An edgy combo: dot top, panel print skirt. ABOVE CENTRE: Stretch mini with piping trim, boat neckline, lemon bag. ABOVE RIGHT: Tulip mini with deep pockets, stitched coat. RIGHT: Epitome of the 1940s: dot dress with keyhole neckline, carrying blue pouch. Cynthia Steffe spring–summer 2003. TOP FAR RIGHT: Piped cherry denim jacket over embroidered netted tunic and matching pencil pant.
 

HERE ARE three designers who have responded in their own special way to the return of retro for spring–summer 2003. From New York to London, Milano to Paris, when the warm weather looks arrive on the runway, there seems to be very little that is new after all.
   How many times can we go back to the influences from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s?
   Indefinitely it seems, for today’s young fashion consumers see retro as fresh and new, particularly since combining vintage styles with current styles has become an established trend. The idea of mixing and matching period fabrics with the blends of today are choices that our mothers and grandmothers didn’t have. Imagine pairing a tight fitting polka-dot top (they were blouses back then) with a flouncy, print mini or a satin, low-cut peplum top with worn jeans.

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How many times can we go back to the influences from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s?