For a provincial by-product, straw sure looks spectacular this season. Abundant in farm bales nobly awaiting a purpose – often as feed for equines and bovines – straw stepped out of the stables this spring and onto the runways. With its palm-derived cousin raffia, the duo lured design minds from Blahnik to Spade. Dolce & Gabbana’s streets-of-Sicily-inspired collection ran amok with the stuff.
Historically woven for artisan crafts and baskets, straw goods got a serious upgrade when designer studios elevated the medium with luxury details into envied accessories with polished ornamentation, leather lining and intricate craftsmanship. Imagination in color and shape lent particular panache to springs shoes and bags, making the fibrous fabric fashion’s humble hotshot.
