Satin Lover
Sun Herald
Sunday July 20, 2003
The fabric that spells glamour and sultriness is set to lend some slinky appeal to the everyday.
Beloved by 30s screen goddesses, and popular in 70s bachelor bedrooms, satin has always had a sensual allure. Now it's back and turning up in the most unexpected places.
From cargo pants to lampshades, bomber jackets to bras, satin is fashion's fabric du jour. Even the most mundane items have had a lustrous overhaul. Anyone for a satin tracksuit? Adidas released one earlier this year. Watch
out for the brand's satin-finished sports shoe early next year.
Along international runways and in local stores, satin appears as a trim, or the full shebang. Designer Marc Jacobs, for fashion house Louis Vuitton, opened his spring runway show in June with candy-coloured satin day dresses which sold out across America.
Locally, chain store Portmans and designers such as Vixen have taken a shine to satin and are using it for day and evening wear. Portmans maintains satin will be this summer's must-wear fabric. Watch for slinky singlets, ballerina wrap-tops, cargo pants and jackets.
Vixen's Georgia Chapman says she has always loved silk satin as a fabric. "My background is in textiles and I love things that feel good," she says. "Silk satin is such a beautiful, sensual fabric - it conjures images of femininity, feels beautiful on the body and has such lovely drape and sheen."
Vixen's homeware range also features satin, in cushions, quilts and lampshades.
But beware: satin can be unforgiving on the wearer, its light-reflecting sheen picking up every lump and bump.
Kate Hudson may have managed to snare her hot on-screen bet Matthew McConaughey while draped in a golden satin gown, but for lesser mortals unseemly bulges might lose that guy in 10 days - probably even less.
For stockists in your state: ADAIRS, (03) 9811 9666; adidas, 1800 801 891; AMANDA STARR, (02) 9922 7833; ANDREA REMBECK and MARCS BABY DOLL, (02) 9280 3304; BAYSWISS, (02) 8595 6133; MOLLINI, (03) 9670 7111; MOSS RIVER, (02) 9517 2967; portmans, 1800 065 518; ZIMMERMANN, (03) 9827 2123; vixen, (03) 9620 4144.
© 2003 Sun Herald