Spring's Couture Gold Rush

Couture Spring 2021 runway shows and fashion presentations struck gold. This cousin of silver and bronze is associated with the mystical and represents illumination, love, compassion, courage, magic and wisdom. The precious metal is also associated with wealth, power and grandeur.

Gold is, in any definition of the word, malleable. It’s fitting, then, that it manifested in different forms on the Couture runways this season. It is symbolic in pagan and Christian stories – from golden apples to golden fleeces – both shaping its meaning and connotations today. 

This season’s designers tapped into their inner mystic as they draped, dressed and masked models in gold. Dior, in particular, explored the connection between gold and fortune. The collection’s romantic Medieval undertones lent themselves to gold’s symbolism and themes of prosperity.

Valentino’s gold-masked models conjured the story of King Midas’ tragic touch and the accident that turned his daughter into solid gold. The collection acted like modern armor; as Valentino knows, there’s no better defense than a sky-high platform pump. 

Schiaparelli explored the artisanal side of gold, forging work that’s unique and full of character. More than a dozen other couture houses played with golden themes – from Chanel to Iris Van Herpen. And once spectators are allowed en masse back at polo matches, we expect to see a lot of gold on the sidelines. From The Impression