The Fall 2017 Erdem Ready-to-Wear collection tells the visual story of "an improbable meeting" between the designer's two great-grandmothers—one English, and the other, Turkish.
The historically inspired collection is full of references to the beauty and riches of the Ottoman Empire, but also hints at the sadness of a lost heritage. In the RTW collection, camel coats, silk dresses and other garments are embellished with lace, intricate patchwork, English florals and other details that beautifully blur the lines between cultures.
The influence of Turkish styles in the Erdem Ready-to-Wear Fall 2017 collection speaks to current world issues, such as the millions of refugees that have been displaced throughout Europe. Turkey is particularly meaningful to designer Erdem Moralioglu because previous generations in his family lived very close to the Syrian border.
Ornate Turkish Fashion
These Fall Erdem Ready-to-Wear Looks Fuse Global Styles
Trend Themes
1. Cultural Fusion Fashion - Disruptive innovation opportunities lie in creating fashion that seamlessly blends different cultural styles and influences.
2. Heritage-inspired Designs - By incorporating historical elements into contemporary fashion, there is an opportunity to create unique and visually compelling collections.
3. Fashion as Social Commentary - Fashion can be used as a platform to raise awareness and start conversations about important social issues, such as refugee crises.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry has the potential to explore and embrace diverse cultural influences, creating new and exciting styles.
2. Textiles - Incorporating intricate lace, patchwork, and other detail-oriented techniques into textiles can create a niche market for heritage-inspired fabrics.
3. Social Advocacy - Fashion brands can use their influence to support and advocate for social causes, such as raising awareness and support for refugee communities.