If there’s one thing we can thank the pot-smoking hippies for, is the popularization of the ever-so-comfortable and chic resort wear creations, namely the maxi dresses. Decades down, these breezy dresses continue to be the darling of designers, high street brands and celebrities alike. While, it’s commonly assumed to be a 70’s phenomenon, the original maxi dress was designed by Oscar de la Renta (better known for his opulent Red Carpet creations) for Elizabeth Arden salon in the late 60’s, that later metamorphosed into the bohemian silhouette. Moving away from all its polyester popularity, the dress found its way to the fashion charts in 2007 with a longer hemline, wider neckline in cotton, chiffon and silken fabrics. Thereafter, it booked itself a permanent spot in all resort wear collections, and come 2014, the seats have been reserved while the original creations act as muse.
Resort shows that were initially a go-between spring/summer and autumn/winter collections which now are given equal importance given the changing nature of seasons while it’s sold a year long. Fast forward to Resort Wear 2014, Moschino Cheap & Chic gives a modish makeover to the 70’s gypsy look with washed out tie&dye patterns, all-over daisy prints and cotton lace maxi dresses. A trend that is bound to gain popularity in the next season as it did with the flower generation.
Another bright gem for the next season comes from the house of Just Cavalli where silk-chiffon floral scarf prints are used to create fluid silhouettes. The icy blue, minty green and pale pink palette is inspired by the lawns of British artist, William Morris. Previously, Riccardo Tisci, head designer at Givenchy found his gypsy cue in an old photograph of Hubert de Givenchy’s muse Bettina to create a collection dominated by scarf prints where swirling paisleys and geometric blocks made for a striking look. Ikat paisleys merging with geometric designs featured in Etro’s cruise collection, reinstating that the focus of maxi dresses remain more on prints than plain fabrics.
Fanning animal instincts were taxidermy beetle bugs by Jason Wu and the mustard yellow leopard prints from Stella McCartney’s Resort 2013 collection that can be carried forward. Also, going by the current resort collection it can be safely said that neon isn’t going anywhere, neither are bold, look-at-me prints or white-washed denim maxis. But what can be looked forward to are gingham checks and intricate prints in sorbet colours like pistachio, mint, berry and bubblegum pink.
Talking about silhouettes, the Chanel Resort 2014 show in Singapore saw off-shoulder blouses, drawstring skirts and raffia dresses in white and navy, a departure from their French aesthetics but nonetheless a trend that can be incorporated into maxi dresses for the next summer. Many designers like Givenchy, Stella McCartney also worked with long cape-like sleeves that could be used as a more modest cover-up.
The international runways were also seen to be experimenting with volume and hence there’s some talk about bottom ruffles, multiple peplums and fluffy sleeves that could influence the basic silhouette of a maxi. Other trends that are likely to continue are cut-outs and side slits that were seen in BCBG Max Azria’s staple maxi dresses back at the Resort 2013 as well as Roberto Cavalli’s porcelain-inspired collection.
Meanwhile, even as football fans may focus on Leonel Messi’s kicking abilities, the world of fashion can benefit by taking inspiration from Brazil as they host the FIFA World Cup 2014. The fashion weeks of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, which were earlier disregarded as the sartorial home of flip-flops and bikinis, have now experienced an astonishing economic growth and are more architectural than beach chic. However, at the same time typical Brazilian influences like green-yellow cover palette, fruit hats, Samba images and tropical palms can easily be imbibed on prints to create a fashion fad for the fans.
The reason for the yearly appearance of the maxi on the resort runways is its chameleon-like quality it can easily be transformed from day to night, worn by all body types, and even comes in handy for pregnant women. These long dresses give women a more flattering form – it not only hides all physical flaws like huge thighs, fleshy stomach but the dress length also adds height to a person’s frame.
Conducting a market research for their website, online fashion retailer Milanoo stated that maxi dresses are in fact a major trend for 2013, given the innumerable “how to make your own maxi” tutorials that have gone viral as well as the experimental works of designers like Gucci, Halston, Biba and Stella McCartney. Further on the research deduced various popular trends for the season based on London Fashion Week S/S 2013, according to which, popular maxi options will be brightly coloured ones (think, pink-orange combinations with statement gold ornaments), bold monochrome stripes, graphic prints plus cut-out ones with small panels are cut-out from the waist area in order to amplify the hourglass figure and add an element of naughtiness.
Even as the maxi-dress continues to be a hit internationally, Bangladesh which is not too big in ladies dresses is also seeing a demand for the same. Moftahus- Sattar Hillol, Managing Director, Ashulia Apparels Ltd., who is among the companies that is supplying ladies dresses, confirms that buyers are now looking at the maxi length. “We are definitely seeing an increase in demand for maxi dresses and I am already exporting them to Max, a Dubai based fashion brand, and Prenatal, an Italian based retailer,” informs Sattar Hillol. As an opportunity, all dress manufacturers should be looking to encash the trend.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
