By Iris Edén Santiago
Special for The STAR
Two steps forward, one step back.
And things aren’t going as smoothly as we thought they would back in September when fashion designers presented their spring summer 2022 collections.
Back then the industry was finally picking up pace after 18 months immersed in pandemic mood. In September it was all excitement, happiness and new beginnings. These collections are full of neons, wild patterns, bold colors and bright hues.
But the holidays brought back the pandemic and the lockdowns, along with an uneasy feeling of despair and yes, anxiety. Fashion being the reflection of history and global vibes that it is, we decided to take the first days of the year to meditate and dream of better days ahead. A clean slate if you will, to inhale, exhale and cautiously celebrate a fresh new start.
So what better choice than white for a promising new beginning? The color of simplicity, purity, peace, elegance. The color of fresh snow, and in our case, sandy beaches. The preferred color for resort and summer wardrobes, which Puerto Ricans are lucky to wear year round.
When talking about white in fashion it is impossible not to bring up Carolina Herrera, the Venezuelan designer who taught the world the value and versatility of a crisp white classic shirt.
“They have always been part of my life. They make me feel secure. When I don’t know what to wear, I choose a white shirt,” Herrera is quoted as saying about her style symbol. “You can wear them with or without jewelry, with jeans or with a long or short skirt. It can be worn for special occasions or even for work.”
Among the powerhouses that included white for the first half of 2022 are Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Altazurra, Alexander McQueen, Simone Rocha and Carolina Herrera. We selected a few great looks from some of our favorite global designers’ SS2022 collections to inspire a chic, timeless and refined new year.