Naïve prints

By exhuming the strawberry print from the Yves Saint Laurent archives, Stefano Pilati was obviously onto something. As candid and naive as they may be, this print has opened the way to numerous childlike graphics that have easily won over the fashionistas looking for an alternative to the eternal summer liberty print.

The fashion world may have been momentarily disconcerted by (model) Mina Cvetkovic's appearance during the last spring/summer 2010 Yves Saint Laurent show in a long fruit-embroidered skirt, yet many quickly converted to this new graphic gimmick. The look went as far as to reappear during the Chanel and Miu Miu shows that soon followed.

Whether swooning in front of Miuccia Prada's birds or succumbing to Karl Lagerfeld's pansies, the fashionistas did not waste any time in adopting the naivete of the season's prints. Since then, we have been seeing certain graphics, until now reserved for little girls dressed in (French chic children's clothing label) Bonpoint, migrate towards more sophisticated wardrobes.

This being said, there is no need to go into financial ruin at Miu Miu in order to properly try out this "fresh & funky" trend. Following Alexa Chung's example, we prefer scanning the second-hand stores in search of a little dress in a deliciously retro print rather than going for a total look à la Kirsten Dunst (who was sadly missing the freshness needed to carry off the naïve print).

In other words, it is not worth attempting to intellectualize the strawberries, swallows, and petunias recently seen onstage. Those who would like to try them on in the adult world, without denying their naïvete nor conceptualizing them, should wear them in the lightest way possible.

Simultaneously discreet and youthful, Alexa Chung's mini cherries can only meet with unanimous approval. However, we are less enthusiastic of the rock'n'roll clutch accompanying her impulsive outfit...