The turban trend goes global

A touch of the Far East meets the West Coast this season, as the turban emerged as the stand-out accessory for spring at New York Fashion Week. It was millinery monopoly as designers drew inspiration from a trend championed by some of fashion’s leading ladies of the past and present. Cite Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford and the Hollywood screen sirens of the 1940s, Sophia Loren posing for David Bailey in the 70s, and, more recently, Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and The City 2. Fashion’s homogeneous love affair with the head wrap continues, and this season they make yet another return to our spring wardrobes. 

Marc Jacobs taught us all a lesson in how to mix prints, as he adorned his models in Masai-inspired headscarves in clashing fluoro geometrics at his Marc by Marc Jacobs ready-to-wear show. Scruffily pinned hair and gypsy wrist bangles added to the global traveller aesthetic.

Max Mara presented a muted take on the trend with a signature easy-breezy collection in khaki safari colours. Head wraps were worn around the forehead, more combat than glamour, but still with a certain laidback elegance. 

Over in Milan, Dolce & Gabbana took inspiration from home territory and pulled together a Sicilian-inspired collection. Traditional silk headscarves in jewel brights were tied underneath the neck and off-set with some killer pom pom earrings for a carnival look. 

Outside of the catwalk, we’ve seen everything from full head wraps to delicate pin-up bows popping up all over the blogosphere. Even the fabulous older ladies at Advanced Style have been snapped in Greta Garbo-inspired wraps. 

As always, Chanel head honcho Karl Lagerfeld is always one step ahead of the game, sending his model and muse Baptiste Giabiconi down the Chanel pre-fall runway in a bejewelled head wrap. First we had “mugs”, “man-bags” and “marongs,” and now the “murban”. Watch this space, boys.

Elizabeth Connor