Somewhere over the rainbow: why technicolour is the 2016 fashion equivalent to a pot of gold

You made it through the most depressing day of the year - now it’s time to see 2016 in technicolour
Emma McCarthy19 January 2016

Congratulations! You made it through Blue Monday (by which I mean yesterday aka the most depressing day of the year, not the New Order song).

Give yourself a pat on the back. And while you’re at it, go and buy yourself something with a rainbow on it. After all, when it comes to keeping your spirits high in what promises to be a truly damp squib of a month, there can be no better antidote than big old F-off rainbow.

This, at least, appears to be the attitude of fashion’s most reverential houses this season.

Yes, it may be a surprising development in an industry populated by people who count themselves as loyal members of the black, navy and grey fan club. But when everyone from Gucci to Chloé to Mary Katrantzou splashes their spring collections with red, orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo - not forgetting violet - even the most ardent “neutralite” can’t help but have her head turned.

Rainbow fashion - in pictures

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So what has prompted this turning tide? One of fashion’s brightest sparks, Alessandro Michele, has certainly played a significant part.

Since taking over at Gucci this time last year and recasting its poster girl from glamourpuss to enigmatic intellectual, rainbow-bright shades have come with the beret-topped, bespectacled, pussy-bow-blouse-wearing territory. The message? Fun is back on the agenda.

Gucci Spring Summer 2016
Catwalking.com

Other rays of sunshine include Chloé’s Brit designer Clare Waight Keller, whose memorable homage to the Nineties came complete with rainbow-striped track pants and kaleidoscopic chiffon sundresses, and Katrantzou, who punctuated her resort collection with panels of fluoro pleats.

As for how to go about catching this season’s happiness bug, the possibilities are endless. RED Valentino’s rainbow mini-dresses and J Crew’s striped sequin maxi skirts are ideal for already sunny personalities.

On the other hand, if you count yourself among the colour-shy you may be tempted to embrace one of Anya Hindmarch’s brilliantly bright bags, while Sonia Rykiel’s cheery technicolour jacket, when teamed with your favourite pair of jeans, is the fashion equivalent to a pot of gold.

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