Take An Art Class

Creative flair gets centre stage as graphic prints rule this season

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Bold and beautiful, checks and stripes are a hot choice from the catwalks for Spring/Summer 16 as designers used them to mix up colours for maximum impact. While for some, the arty inspiration was more abstract, it was sharper, graphic lines and angles that dominated and gave a hint of a 1960s vibe too.

Graphic Novel Checks came in a captivating variety, creating patterns as striking as they were sophisticated. Stella McCartney chose vivid red and white in a tablecloth pattern for the tailored dress she sent down the runway, while at Chanel, we saw an elegant belted coat in raspberry, lime, black and white squares. Meanwhile a Céline jacket came in shades of grey with a blown-up version of Prince of Wales check. Geometric shapes and stripes were a fashion favourite too, in a multitude of shades at Prada, channelling 60s op-art, used vertically for Missoni’s sundress, and for a horizontal knitted rainbow design at Tommy Hilfiger.

Checks and Balances In the same vein as designers, it’s time to break free of colour constrictions and experiment on nails. French manicures have taken on a modern twist recently with colours replacing the white striped tip, while adding a single fine line across the nail and over a contrasting base shade is an equally simple way to be on-trend. With a vast palette of shades on offer from leading nail colour experts OPI, you can be as creative as you want. Try a sweep of deep, grassy green shade Green-wich Village along nail tips for a fresh take on French, or a fine black vertical line of Lady In Black over a white base of Alpine Snow for an op-art finish. Or if you’re feeling more artistic, opt for a checkerboard design in this pretty colour combo: navy OPI...Eurso Euro and ElePhantastic Pink.