Tommy "Crochet" Hilfiger -Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear

I've been spending the past few days researching for an upcoming article, and came across the Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2016, Ready to Wear fashion runway show.  So.... sidetracked now from my original article, I have to stop and share this show with you!

While I'm not the biggest fan of Tommy Hilfiger's work, this show stopped me dead in my tracks, because I loved it, and of course, you've guessed it: crochet is involved!  And when I say "involved", I mean it takes over a large portion of the show!

The amount of crochet work that went into the pieces shown on the runway is astounding!  I can't help but think, "Who made this?!" and "How long did it take?!"  Maybe I don't want to know the answer.... but the great part is, YOU CAN MAKE THESE YOURSELF, or most of them anyway. I would say if you have a lot of experience and have the concept of making your own patterns, some of these should be no problem to free-style.  (though they may take a lot of time)

Chioma Nnadi of Vogue.com writes:

"And speaking of crochet, the boho textile was all over the collection, including the neckline of patchwork and billowing chiffon dresses. The crochet bathing suit, that linchpin of a ’70s bohemian wardrobe, was re-created in several ways, too, and it was refreshing to see Gigi Hadid, a model whose gorgeous womanly body recalls the first wave of free-spirited travelers that came to Jamaica in the late ’60s, striding down the runway in a string bikini. Reason enough to want to run off to a tropical island, or at least dress the part until you can."

 The following photos include all of the "crochet" pieces, but if you want to see the entire show, check it out! (All photos credit to Vogue.com)

Crochet borders and hemlines add a nice edge to fabric garments.  You can do this yourself very easily if you have an EdgeIt tool (a crochet hook with a sharp point for crocheting into fabric) or by sewing yarn evenly along the edge, and crocheting into the seam.

 

Pair up a crochet edged top or bikini with a crochet skirt!  Skirts are my favorite spring and summer garment!!!

 

Crochet tops look hot with any type of bottoms...

... or mix up crochet and knit to complete a full sleeve sweater.  (Check out the granny stitch along the seam of the sleeves!)  Here's an idea... take two old sweaters, remove the sleeves from one and attach them to the other sweater with a granny stitch!

 

... or just crochet the entire sweater! One doesn't usually think of sweaters during the summer, but they make a great beach cover-up.

 

We spoke of crochet edges, but crochet also adds character and beauty when used as a larger piece, a yoke, or topper of a fabric dress!  See my past article Crochet & Fabric

 

Or you could just crochet a whole dress... I love the first one, i think I'll make it :)

 

The following dresses are "almost" entirely crocheted, but the bottom third of the dress appears to be a woven fabric which is attached to the crochet top.  The makers probably got tired! (crochet cannot be done by machine, everything you see that is crocheted has been hand made)

 

She wore an itsy bitsy teeny weeny multi-colored crochet bikini... Have you made a crochet bikini before?  They're actually pretty easy!  And the best part is that they are quick to make.

While bikinis are easy to make, a crochet bathing suit or "monokini" is a bit more difficult. They require more detail and absolute proper measurements to fit properly. 

There you have it!  Crochet, style, color, shapes.... this collection has a serious retro vibe.  It's an exciting year for crochet.... trust me!