In the fashion world, every summer is defined by a dress. Last year Zara’s green geometric style dominated the UK’s streets. A few seasons ago Ganni’s sleeveless sheer-sucker dress was in shopping baskets up and down the country. This year, the dress to be seen in is a pared-back style from French fashion house, Celine.
Appearing on the Celine SS23 runway, the black mini caught our attention for its minimal and elegant silhouette. Embossed with gold Triomphe buttons–a signature of the brand, which sit atop of four corresponding welt pockets, the dress is rife with considered details that elevate the design, whilst giving a nod to Celine’s Parisian heritage.
Toning down the look, Hedi Slimane’s vision saw the wool mini paired with grounding biker boots, a grungy leather bag, and oversized sunglasses as it went down the runway in the ocean-fronted Saint-Tropez.
Of all the beautiful details on the dress, the one we cannot get enough of (and predict to see all over the hight street soon), is the white piping that frames the garment. Celine’s iteration is rendered in sequins, and it is a luxe detail follows the border of the dress, embellishing it with cool-girl flair, setting it apart from any other little black dress on the market.
We’re only at the beginning of August and the LBD has already been spotted on all of our favourite celebrities. Last week Dua Lipa shared images of herself in the dress in a series of Instagram posts dedicated to her European summer.
On a trip to Albania, Dua took the woollen dress to the beach–an unlikely setting for such a heavy material, but the deep open back and short length makes this a style that can be worn as easily in summer as in autumn. You could easily layer with a roll-neck or shirt and add tights to complete the look for a new season.
Before summer took hold, Alexa Chung modelled the dress during a trip to Paris with sheer black tights, black pointed kitten heels and tousled waves.
Taking the dress to the red carpet, actress Lily McInerny wore the style to Celine’s AW23 womenswear show at the iconic Los Angeles theatre The Wiltern. Styling the dress with a baby-blue Celine bag, Mclerney proved the versatility of the seasons favourite mini.
There’s a reason owning a great LBD is a non-negotiable among the fashion crowd, and Celine’s new iteration has re-sparked our love for the time-honoured style. However, it’s the contrast trim that has proven to be the big influence on the fashion world; this one small detail is now appearing across the industry, from chic vest tops at Massimo Dutti to matching co-ords from Reformation.
Up Next: Alexa Chung’s European Summer Capsule Wardrobe Relies Heavily on One Item