Falling Into Winter

In a season where Marie Antoinette has an exhibition at the V& A in London, Ian Griffiths at Max Mara has cited Madame de Pompadour as an influence and milliner Stephen Jones has been looking at Gainsborough, there are two elements in this story to note, before we look at the clothes. The high hair is definitely a nod to the French court and the hint of a maze in the background reminds us of courtly fun and games.

Yet in contrast to the visual narrative, Cellotape’s creative team are showing superbly practical options for winter coats, short to long, shiny, and rainproof to tightly belted and warm. The coat used to be an investment item, then went short and impractical in the swinging 60’s, then became a fashion budget item and has now returned to being the kind of clothing any woman wants to consider before purchase. Outerwear is a fashion and clothing category that aims to combine the classic and investment with a fresh twist, an update and subtle variation to bring new life to the pieces. These options, shot outdoors amidst greenery, demonstrate how fashion in 2025 isn’t about dictating one look, but about clients knowing what their own practicalities are: urban or rustic, busy and working, or more social and leisurely. Colour is restrained without being dull and with one exception surfaces are softly matt. These looks are about style and about clothes, the narrative may be studied but at the heart are real pieces. Just as even someone like Marie Antoinette had capes, shawls and wraps to cover up and shield her from winters blasts, so today, however fabulous one looks, practicality and style must play the game. These looks balance fashion and climate, and we all know, if there is one thing that’s always unfashionable, it is arriving drenched or frozen.