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My take on the theme “sensual”

The official definition of sensual is; “of or arousing gratification of the senses and physical, especially sexual, pleasure.” When thought of in terms of a trend in fashion often thoughts of underwear comes to mind because of its links to pleasure and sex. However, when I think of this theme I think of other ways it is possible to arouse the senses, not necessarily in a sexual way. 

I think of being romantic and soft. I think of what arouses the senses in terms of fabric and patterns and instantly think of the words; “calming” and “therapeutic”. I also think quite strongly of nature and traveling and gratification can come from experiencing new cultures and being inspired. 

I often think of the whole free spirited movement as it is a very romantic idealism of life, and how you can be sensual by appreciating nature and natural beauty. This is how I started to look into bohemian culture in the 70s. The 70s also have a direct influence on festival fashion and is a repeating trend, especially in the summer.

The trend has a lifestyle associated with it, which is holistic and calming one, with many brands using the trend to mould their identity around.

Below is a collage of my thoughts and research on the theme

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This is a moodboard I have created with the theme of “sensual” in mind. When I think of sensual I think of romance and soft textures and exciting the senses. I believe this theme to be very romantic and soft when it comes to colour and textures. My images seem to sway towards a 70s bohemian trend because of the neutral colours, natural hair and skin of floaty materials.

Moodboard of sensual from resource WGSN. Lace, nudes, intimates, romantic, bohemian, floaty, elegant

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Looking into photography, this affect seems to be used a lot for editorials in the sensual trend. Photographers often let natural life effect the photograph so that the image looks natural, as if the model has been captured in a normal moment. 

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This is a more sexualised interpretation of the trend, but again it isn’t aggressively provocative. It remains soft and more mysterious, but also natural. The lace and the sheer fabric keeps the look soft and gentle. 

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This is an example of a modern sensual look. The lighting appears vintage due to the softness. The look is very bohemian with natural hair and soft chalks as the overall colouring. This particular look is very popular currently in festival fashion.

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Fashion x Music

Uploaded on this page is now a new playlist. As my theme is my interpretation of the word sensual I have put together this playlist that I consider to represent the trend in a playlist. A lot of the musicians or bands that I have put on the playlist, I consider to be pioneers of the style such as Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac or  Florence and the Machine. I have also uploaded music that I consider psychedelic 60s/70s, which I feel was when this style formed. The playlist is very calming and smooth, with mostly folk influences, but there are some other musicians that I have added because I felt they represented the associated lifestyle with the trend. 

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Playlist Live for Fashion X Music

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In 2014, Lady Gaga posed for Porter’s Cover Spread. The photographer and artistic director of the shoot wanted to create a Stevie Nicks inspired shoot. This shows how the trend can be interpreted in modern times. Often today the trend is paired with brighter colours or harsher materials, such as leather, to create an edgier and rock and roll look.

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Sensual Artwork

When looking into this theme I also looked at artwork that has been inspired by the clothing trend or vice versa. This piece has a clear nature influence and also a bit of astronomy, which is something explored by many brands as part of the bohemian lifestyle. I feel this is very sensual as it almost shows how much of the world people take in and how therapeutic that is. I find this image very calming and almost Buddhist. 

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This is an example of a complete outfit of the sensual trend in street style. All of the accessories have strong ethnic influences, but are usually subtle or dainty, to add detailing to the soft and simple fabrics.

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ACCESSORIES

This look does tend to take strong influences from cultures and adventure culture so often boots and sandals are used for footwear, especially with those of ethnic prints or walking boot looks. A common factor in all accessories with this sensual look does seem to be the use of suede. Suede knee high boots and bags are very popular wearing with the sensual look, because of the softness yet durability. 

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This trend seems to only use very light and chalky colours as its colour pallet, with white, beige and creams as the base, and more exciting colours used on decorative elements, such as embroidery. 

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Current Pioneers of the sensual trend.

Florence Welch, of Florence and the Machine, is currently on icon in this sensual fashion trend. She has strong influences from the 70s and I personally think she is maintaining the trend, by keeping it modern in terms of shapes and prints. She also has an influence in festival fashion. She is well known for her free movements and dancing with her music. 

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Pioneers of the sensual trend. 

Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks is a singer with a successful career during the late 60s and early 70s, with band Fleetwood Mac, and later with her solo work. She is an icon of this trend, with these relaxed fabrics and sensual colours and prints, which shaped the bohemian trend of the 70s. 

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot is a French singer, actress and fashion model, who was popular in the 50s and 60s. She is known as a sex symbol of her time. What is notable, however, is that she is known as sexy yet her clothes are rarely provocative. She always wares these bohemian sensual clothing constructed of light and lacy fabrics.

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Lace is a delicate fabric that adds detail within the sensual trend. It is often used for bralets and intimates but also as the detail above fabric. It is usually paired with a sheer fabric so the detail of the lace is really shown. Lace is also known for being a trend in vintage style clothing, especially in the 60s and 70s, which is where this trend gets it’s influence. 

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This lightweight sheer fabric is quite often used in this sensual tend, as it flows nicely. It is often used on fabrics for editorials especially outside, as it moves quite nicely and looks etherial. The fabric seen above is chiffon and has a floaty elegance.