Petal power

Fashion’s favourite thing at the moment is a bouquet of micro florals

Florals have always had a lifetime pass to freely walk the vivid, chaotic alleys of the fashion-verse, irrespective of the season. Incarnated in many figures, outlines and formats — lotus flowers to dark chrysanthemums and graphic calla lilies to micro foliages — florals, especially the darling micro buds, are setting the mood board for this season. Even though they were once viewed as a feminine cliche — or as the woefully-uncool territory of middle-aged men — these micro buds are being embraced by 20-something males as well.

“Florals have a language all their own. From LBD-esque dark lilies to statement jasmines, there are many small yet crucial fashion trends based solely on florals year after year. In fashion, flowers are not something that you buy on impulse from the stall by the station; in fact, they are as much of a style statement, and as trend-driven, as your footwear, your purse or the car you drive. They must be carefully considered and finely calibrated to enhance your personal brand,” says designer Archana Kochhar. She adds, “The coolest trend in flowers over the past few years hasn’t involved flowers at all, as designers have chosen greenery over floral incarnations. As in this case, micro buds are blossoming in a new direction, a cheeseplant or succulent chopped petals of your favourite flower on your mid-century sideboard is pure minimalist cool, so are the mixtures of pretty petals that are chiming nicely with your on-trend androgynous wardrobe. If you are the one who likes to be polar opposite to the minimalistic vibe, then highly stylised arrangements in dramatic, downward-sweeping shapes are avant garde choices to be picked up from. A mix of overblown blooms, bending in with the environment, adds to the melancholic glory.”

Picking the right florist is the key, suggests designer Lalit Dalmia. “This look is a little tricky to put together if you are sourcing your flowers from a local florist. If in doubt, fall back on the classics. A miniature white phalaenopsis orchid is the little black dress of flowers and all-white blooms are a failsafe chic choice. Tiny pink peonies or blue hydrangeas are super stylish, so long as the bunch is generous enough and you stick to a single colour, with no greenery. Mini wild meadow flowers project effortless style, the floral equivalent of wearing a ponytail and flats on the red carpet.”

As every fashionista knows, great accessories make the look. “Opt for dark colour combinations over pastels,” suggests designer Gautam Gupta. “Micro buds or florals are huge this season so you can safely drop your big ditsy prints for micro 3D fun. Team them with leather over lace to steer yourself away from froufrou sweetness. A biker boot or beaten leather jacket is the right idea. A neckline, a hem or even all-over to sprout across a top or cami will be all the more interesting with teasing textures. Also, if you are game, then try on fringing as it’s a game-changer for the micro florals wave.”