Cork print isn’t cork, but it sure as hell looks like it. This knitted jacquard sweater, a snip at £45, is a case in point. Look closely. Uncanny isn’t it? Trend forecasters WGSN don’t miss a beat and have earmarked it as a key print for AW15. To mark the 25th anniversary of its Air Max 90 trainers, Nike released an Infrared Cork style with a cork body and black leather detailing. Vans gave their iconic skater trainers a cork twist. It’s creeping back into interiors, too, with London-designer Ilse Crawford designing a line of cork-based furnishings for Ikea. Some designers are more dedicated to the cause. Christopher Raeburn used woven cork in his rucksacks, jackets and t-shirts in his SS16 collection. As base materials go, it’s comfortable and light (hence why it’s been used in wedges for decades) and the shade – an off-neutral beige mixed with black – works on every skin tone, a bit like leopard print. Cork is the new leopard print! OK, it isn’t, but it’s still nice.
