Monday, July 14, 2014

Easy Rider


IN the week that legendary actor Dennis Hopper's dreamy photo archive was unveiled for the first time at the Royal Academy of Arts, there's no better moment to explore the late Sixties outlaw spirit dominating the pre-autumn collections. The summer-sales frenzy is grinding to a halt and now is the time to welcome the glorious arrival of new fashion ideas and make your edit of fresh shopping rails.
Take the Easy Rider trend - the rebel mood-setter of the next season and an ideal palette-cleanser from chaotic hothouse prints. Invest in a sandy-hued suede jacket or Mexican blanket wrap, pull on robust leather knee-high boots and ice-blue denim in crisp rodeo styles (Hopper himself was a great fan of bullfights).
This is about old LA's winsome vibe: re-watch the ultimate road trip movie and take your time over Hopper's black-and-white snaps - stolen moments documenting the explosion of pop art and the baton that passed from the Beatniks to Flower Children. Here's how to make the most of July's unhurried days.
American dreamers: Get creative with your beaten-up denim jacket. Try hand-painted stars in shimmering pewter to match your eye shadow.
Chanel's pre-autumn show in Dallas played homage to the state's cowgirl spirit, with just a dash of disco for good measure.