Original design leads the way at French Connection

French Connection has delivered another truly original, beautifully unique collection for Autumn 2009. Indulge in their ethos where trends are obsolete and original design rules, become free to create your own style from French Connection’s coveted wardrobe.

Playing to it’s strengths the company has injected a casual diffusion range into the main collection, paying special attention to cut, fit, premium materials and quirky little twists that make items that little bit different to everyone else’s.

The casual diffusion line is a collection of everyday pieces that you have to have in your wardrobe, the pieces that matter every season. T-shirts take on a new form with oversized proportions adorned with abstract and playful prints, wear with oversized, love worn denim or check shirts, worn open with eclectic buttons.

Special attention has been paid to denim with ultra skinny indigo wash to 80’s bleached stone wash jeans. Denim jackets make a comeback with rolled up sleeves or in gillet form with fun fur lining. Playful outerwear continues with wet look hooded bombers and subtle zebra print drawstring parkas. Style with comfort is the theme that inspires jersey playsuits with gold metal work and harem pants worn with pleated jersey vests.

From relaxed to refined; the main French Connection collection introduces a range full of diversity that cleverly fits together in unexpected ways. Underpinning the range is smart attention to detail, a rarity that you only find with vintage.

Dresses have evolved in both sharp tailored fabrics and draped jersey with totally tropical prints. Necklines are square with shoulders given 80’s power woman presence, with skirts staying tulip with front pleating and wrap over detailing. One shoulder styles are updated with full length sleeve and shoulder pleat detail. Eastern china vase prints adorn strapless dresses and oversized box shifts. Unique vintage prints, traditional tailoring and embroidery create a flea market feel to casual dresses.

Knitwear creates easy-to-wear versatile styles with geometric contrasting panels. The stand out styles this season include the white leather hole punched dress, gold 80’s lame and the ultra glamorous sleeved shift dress with all over dazzling embellishment.

Tailoring is given a fierce edge; blazers are longer in length worn with rolled up sleeves and open over soft knits with super skinny black leather trousers creating vamp appeal. The trouser silhouette varies from wide leg, full length styles to cropped carrot cut with pleated front. White formal trousers offer a well considered contrast to black.

Knitwear is updated with kitsch and vintage embellishment, overlapping loop details on collars and cuffs and faux fur trims. Outerwear fabrics have a ‘dandy’ influence with mixes of fine wools, tweeds, velvets and furs. The outerwear range is inspired with new silhouettes, from oversized masculine designs in mustard hues, a little red riding hood swing style to grey with solid military hardware. Exaggerated proportions are also evident in collars, bell sleeves and strong empire lines. The classic leather jacket is given a new slim line edge with super soft leather and gold fastenings.

Owl, wolf, tiger and rabbit prints give a playful nod to this year’s bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth, appearing cleverly across silks, t-shirts and shirts.

The collection is drawn together in an autumnal colour palette of greys, black, mustard and rich red with splashes of tropical brights and high shine metallics.

Buy online at frenchconnection.com.