Watching the Prada show this season, fashion editors might have found their minds wandering somewhere slightly less glamorous: the stationery cupboard. Such was the proliferation of neon, from highlighter pink tulle to a shift dress the colour of a particularly lairy Post-it note and socks in a shade appropriate to an “Action required” document index flag. This was, without doubt, a collection to guarantee the wearer would be seen.
Backstage, Miuccia Prada explained that this was neon as warning. She wanted to use colour to emancipate women from unwanted male attention. “I imagined a woman could go out looking super sexy in the street at night without being bothered,” she said. “It’s about the freedom of women to go out in the night.” Literally signposting your presence with colour is a very Prada conceit.
But it’s not just Prada that knows the power of the brightest shades in the spectrum, of course. Christopher Kane has spoken before about his love of these acidic hues, dubbing “every other colour so banal”. While Kane’s AW18 collection is muted, other designers have stepped up to the plate this season and joined Prada in the mission to make women visible in the most stylish ways. See jumpers at Balenciaga, wigs at Moschino, jackets at Tibi and shoes at Marni. Wear a pop as an accessory, or go bright head-to-toe. And head out into the night.
Here’s our pick of the best fluoro items this season for inspiration…
