Suspended between summer and winter, the smaller collection unites the best of both seasons in trends punctuated with colour, patterns and attitude.
Pre-fall collections are oft overshadowed by the bigger fall/winter and spring/summer fashion shows but these smaller capsules play a bigger role than you think.
Designed as an in-between collection for spring and fall, pre-fall offers a preview to a designer’s official fall collection, similar in concept and look but at a more commercially attractive level.
Read also: Style-spotting at the 2017 #GenerationT party
Pre-fall also gives the avid fashion hunter a chance to snap up hero pieces ahead of the season. Check out how these designers are uniting the best of both climates into a gloriously quirky pre-fall collection.
Ferragamo for fabulous heels 
Newly appointed design director for Salvatore Ferragamo, Paul Andrew, married high tech and high craft for his first footwear collection, presenting a daring revolution of Ferragamo icons. The signature black and gold column heel, the ‘F’ wedge and the metal arch, to name a few, are reimagined with a modern take.
Jimmy Choo for flat-out attitude 
Slip-on flats, or mules, continue as a mainstay in-between seasons and Jimmy Choo spunks up a rosy palette of pairs with metallic studs. Romantic yet edgy, these Jimmy Choo loafers evoke a free-spirited yet rock-and-roll to adventurous footfalls.
Romancing the bag with Fendi 
Keeping up with its contemporary functionality and geometric motifs with feminine themes, Fendi’s pre-fall offerings celebrate modern romance, particularly in its accessories. Embellished flowers and vivid colours pepper the iconic Fendi handbag collection, presenting an array of sophisticated and daring arm statements.
Sporty appeal from Bottega Veneta 
Bottega Veneta continues to revel in the spring/summer season with bright colours set off by powdery pastels. Materials of cottons, silks and leather treatments come in draped and dressy styles. Keeping up with the athluxury trend for pre-fall is this flowy draped jacket and drawstring ensemble in a refreshing lilac-blush.
Classic silhouettes by Carolina Herrera 
You can count on Carolina Herrera to present modern styles with a touch of sophisticated attitude and this pre-fall sheds a refreshing dimension to tailored and fluid silhouettes. Menswear fabric inspire daywear looks, from double-breasted pantsuits to A-line pleated skirts, in earthy colours of emerald, olive and charcoal grey.
Gucci’s disco getup 
Taken straight from the scene of a pulsating club, Gucci is inspired by the reveling spirit of dancers decked in vibrant colours, moving in spirited dance moves. Motifs – often clashing and always flamboyant – are the choice wardrobe from Gucci’s pre-fall collection, like this bouquet print corduroy jacket with flared New Flora corduroy trousers.
Coat codes with Coach 
Coach launches into space with a limited-edition capsule collection for pre-fall. Ready-to-wear pieces, bags and accessories are tinged with the American nostalgia for space exploration; cue a Shearling Varsity jacket with patches, NASA-inspired logos and varsity stripes – for a snug and cosy statement essential.
Evening LBD by Chanel
Each season, the Little Black Dress is a muse for reimagination and discovery. Chanel's pre-fall Paris Cosmopolite 2016/17 Métiers d'art collection is inspired by the sumptuous, Parisian evening dresses “women used to wear to dine at the Ritz, featuring stunning numbers defined at the waist, an overflow of plexiglas and jewelled embroidery and skirts sweeping with ostrich feathers.
How Jeff Koons breathed life into masterpieces of the art world in a fashion collaboration with Louis Vuitton.