Très chic comeback of plastic fantastic
The wild 1960s ushered in a new era of embracing boldness, energy and contrasting beauty; this happened alongside the rise of pop art and the youth fashion movement. Mary Quant, the Welsh fashion designer and style icon of the period, rose to fame with her miniskirts, pinafore dresses and shiny, plastic raincoats – her bright colourways and dynamic prints still make for a mischievously chic expression today.
The comeback of plastic in fashion raged back in earnest last year, spotted on a range of designs from street fashion to luxury brands. Calvin Klein's autumn 2017 ready-to-wear collection introduced a number of plastic-covered jackets for both men and women, as well as dresses; the translucent material reminds one of a plastic sofa cover – what's underneath ranges from a plaid wool jacket or a sheer silk dress to a dyed fur coat. Yeezy, Kanye West's footwear brand, introduced a pair of thigh-high boots in entirely transparent PVC as part of its Season Four collection.