Fringing & Leather Encroaches On Coachella 2015

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April 21st, 2015
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9:00 AM

The Coachella music festival, held in the southern California desert for two consecutive weekends in April, has become a quasi-style hub over the past five years – as well a musical one. Fashion and lifestyle brands continue to sponsor the event but this year felt a little more hands-on with retailers and designers setting up installations and shows onsite as part of the entertainment between musical acts.

The lines are blurring between music and fashion as Coachella - in the California desert - ramps up its style-fixation. All thanks to the CFDA, H&M and a host of stylish celebrities.2015 marked the premier release of the 'H&M Loves Coachella' collection worldwide. The Swedish retailer, a Coachella sponsor for the past six years, hosted an interactive installation on the festival grounds that included a “360-degree Selfie Station” and a temporary store that sold exclusive, festival-only products. Adding to the fashion punch, the Council of Fashion Designers of America added Coachella to its official fashion calendar for the first time, too. Referring to what the Woodstock festival did to fashion in the Seventies, CFDA boss, Steven Kolb said Coachella rubs-off on style in the 21st century, as did the hippie music scene.  “It’s the curation of artists and diversity of music that worked,” Kolb told reporters. “That’s always been true with music and fashion. Music has always influenced fashion and vice versa... So for our industry to harness that was just a natural evolution.” Beginning in 1999 – the decade of grunge – Coachella's 'style' has certainly morphed from Nirvana punk. Marking the debut of the northern hemisphere festival calendar, the spring and summer fashions seen on the runways back in September come out in full force at Coachella. But, whatever the catwalk trends may have predicted for women well over six months ago, Coachella without question has its own style tune that it dances too: Boho Chic. So, what were the artsy girls and fashion pack caught grooving in this year? Loads of fringing, crochet, florals and lace. And exuberant amounts of cut-off denim. Suede & Fringing It was hippie-modernized at Coachella. Fringing accented leather bags, ankle boots and vests, pushed as a trend by supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio, Gigi Hadid et al. Cotton Whites Cotton white were a fresh hue on the field following the winter cold. The crisp color snowed over sleeveless linen frocks with straight silhouettes. Embroidery and vine splices showed tasteful flesh, just like the outfit of Jamie Chung. Meanwhile, Paris Hilton sported white crocheted bikini top over laser-cut lace a-line skirt, next to sister Nikki in a mini-Victoriana frock with sheer cut-outs on the chest and Aztec-shape weave.3-D EmbellishmentsLead by the likes of Kate Bosworth, patterns and textures were formed by 3-D embellishments. Studs featured on jackets and on leather mini-bags in white for Bosworth for a rock-ish feel on the peace and love vibes. The cropped biker coat in beige came textural with Americana embroidery in yellow and red, too.Pretty In PlaidZoë Kravitz rocked plaid - in the form of a playsuit - for a practical approach to Coachella dancing. Cotton look fabric sat crisp yet relaxed next to silk biker bandana and leather ankle boots.