From open to close, Missoni adds a new take on Spanish flavour with an abundance of frills, tassels, and patterns enhanced by a bright colour palette of royal blue, magenta, yellow, and green.

The house of Missoni presented a clear vision for Spring/Summer 2012, keeping its classic signature style while adding a brilliant Spanish flare. Best known for its unique and show stopping knitwear through a multitude of patterns, the brand took a shift from the past classic style thanks to the youthful spontaneity of its creative director, Angela Missoni. As the runway show begins, the air gives a distinct vibe of a fresh summer affair that will go on all night long in a variety of looks characterized by the colour blue – royal blue, cerulean, teal, and aquamarine – and the dominant style for the collection; ruffles, ruffles, and don’t forget about the ruffles. They appear in nearly all forms from blazers to dresses to swimwear and slips.

A look that particularly stood out featured a full aquamarine dress with a one-shoulder strap and a sleeve wrap made of ruffles. The dress had peaks of sheer material that gave it a romantic touch, and more ruffles cascaded down the long skirt with a distinct colour pattern fading in from white to a darker blue, forming the gradient of what looks like an ocean. The look, as well as others, showcased the distinguishable Missoni style of kaleidoscopic patterns and colours. Although the collection gave a fiery flamenco surprise, some pieces came out a bit too busy for the eyes. For instance, a royal blue combination dress and pants suit missed the mark with an unwelcome ruffled lapel jacket, patterned pant and tasseled neck. Aside from the natural boldness of the clothes, accessories that came along with each look created a bold statement for the coming season – chunky gold necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, tight neck chains with flowing tassels, and clutches with ruffles, patterns, and mesmerizing geometric shaping. Another important accessory worth noting were the shoes, accented with large plastic flowers, striping design wrapped completely around it, and a chunky Plexiglas heel. Missoni reminds everyone to bask in the beautiful summer air and relinquish that inner animal spirit.