Velvet revolution! Velour, velveteen, velvet on the catwalks

Velvet - a synonym of luxury and royal style. Despite its rather shy debut on the catwalks last year, we can surely call it a velvet revolution today!

Velour, velveteen or velvet?

Those royal fabrics have some lavish history behind them. Velvet is a technique of weaving of fabric, not the fiber itself. In fact that’s specially woven wool fabric that leaves a soft fluff on the surface, playing with light in a distinctive fashion - absorbs it and simultaneously reflects, causing an effect of warm glow.

Even though velvet is identified with European monarchies and aristocracy, its roots reach much further. Similar materials were created over 2000 years BC in ancient Egypt. It is rumoured though that velvet came to Europe from Asia, and it was created 200 years BC when Qui dynasty ruled China. At that time velvet was produced from silk what made it more noble and unattainable for the ordinary mortals.

Velvet has started its great career in renaissance Italy - Europe’s first production centre of that material. In 14th and 15th centuries velvet, that was made of quite expensive silk, had a truly decadent character - its luxuriousness was emphasized by precious metals - gold and silver. At that time velvet was associated with aristocracy, noble personalities and wealthy priesthood.

Does velvet suit everyone?

Even though velvet was deemed luxurious, it came down to earth and was happily worn by the hippies and glam rock enthusiasts in 70s and 80s of the XXth century. Today, almost everyone can afford velvet and velour garments. The hard to style texture of that material and its tendency to make people look fat might be a vast con for wearing velvet clothes for some, though.

Which designers treasure velvet?

Designers, just like Venetian tailors from the XVth century, have fallen in love with this difficult yet precious fabric over again. Light-absorbing materials were interpreted in various ways. Valentino, Attico, Saint Laurent or Fendi alluded directly to the Renaissance aesthetics by means of fabric and also form of elongated, body-wrapping dresses. Others, like Haider Ackermann for instance, opted for modernist and masculine cut of female suits in emerald tint.

Velvet accessories - they’re worth having!

While velveteen or velvet gowns, dresses or female suits are proposals for adventurous fashionistas who are conscious of their body types, royal accessories are perfect for anyone who has been even faintly touched by the velvet revolution.

Amid catwalk accessories on the leading edge are bags, clutches, beaded pouches and velvet tapes and chokers. Even exclusive cobblers like Giuseppe Zanotti or Jimmy Choo get carried away by velveteen craze creating fabulous pieces of pumps, ballerinas, ankle boots or knee-high boots.

The dominant colors on the catwalks are primarily deep navy blue and sapphire, warm maroon, lively like the jewel of the Nile emerald and divine yellow from Valentino.