1. 160 IRISH TATLER SEPTEMBER 2015
finalthought
Looking back to power dressing on the
catwalks, by Suzanne Murphy.
“The term ‘power dressing’
emerged as women were
becoming ingratiated into
business and political spheres”
THENEW
E
ver since Mlle
Chanel unveiled her
iconic tweed suit in
the 1920s, tailored
silhouettes have been
a consistent feature
of the catwalk. Fast-forward to
the seventies and eighties and the
term ‘power dressing’ emerged as
women were becoming ingratiated
into business and political spheres.
Early suits tended to come in muted
shades with blazers designed to
hide bosoms and boasted extreme
shoulder pads, tailored skirts or
trousers (think Margaret Thatcher
– the original power dresser). Even
though power dressing initially
incorporated tailoring to make
a woman’s figure appear more
masculine, the trend evolved
to incorporate silhouettes that
emphasised style, comfort and
trends. As evidenced by the cerise
pink number from the Yves Saint
Laurent 1985 catwalk collection
(pictured), by the eighties power
dressing was no longer exclusive
to the professional woman. From
Michelle Obama to Anna Wintour
and Kate Middleton, power
dressing icons continue to dazzle
proving that commanding dressing
for women will always be in style.
POWER
GENERATION
1992
FLASHBACK TO...
1987
JILSANDER
JILSANDER
JASONWU
FENDI
BLUGIRL
BYBLOS
PRADA
DKNY
BRAGANZA
Ankle boot
(€79.95)
@ Zara
Colour block caddy
dress (€1,190) by
Marni @ Marni.com
Coat (€880)
by McQueen @
Brown Thomas
Python tote (€2,100)
by Victoria Beckham @
Net-a-porter.com
1985 BLUGIRL
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