TOPSHOP UNIQUE took a trip to ancient Egypt by way of the Nineties urban hip-hop scene for spring/summer 2012 today - with slouchy, oversized streetwear paired with rich gold embellishment and abstract hieroglyphic prints.
Sportswear was the name of the game with oversized jersey tracksuits, cropped jogging bottoms and tops and baseball caps creating a confidently relaxed silhouette perfectly in line with Unique’s trademark street-smart attitude. As if designed by Keith Haring, the hieroglyphic prints were bold and graffiti-esque, varying in size from extensive, small scribbles to the enlarged "All Seeing Eye" images that adorned the bust of a sheer crop top. Whatever the size, they were a continuous characteristic throughout the collection, at times intertwined with golden, coiled cobras, scuttling scarab beetles and other sacred Egyptian animals.
Although interspersed with slinky see-through panelled tube skirts and more elegant full-skirted dresses with sweetheart necklines - all the time adorned with gold detailing - the street vibe never wavered. Instead it evolved to incorporate the opulence of the collection’s main point of reference – ancient Egypt. Encapsulated by an image of the Elizabeth Taylor in her iconic 1963 role as Cleopatra, which appeared blown-up on a slouchy sweater and tee, there was a healthy dose of the glamour so readily associated with the late silver screen siren. A shimmering pink-gold bias-cut dress fell fluidly while a jewel-like turquoise column dress clung tightly, decorated with a gold foil scarab beetle print. Hair was slicked back and capped in gold leaf and accessories were big and bold and, obviously, gold.
It was a thoroughly modern reworking of a period in history that never fails to ignite interest and fascination and showed we can all have a little piece of Cleopatra and her ancient world in our 21st Century wardrobes.
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