French Connection Spring 2009 Ladieswear

As ever with French Connection expect the unexpected, earth tones sit alongside bold tribal colours, clean vintage prints lay happily with oversized modern graphics with texture adding clever detail. It's a well thought out love affair between tradition and modernist design.

Spring has a rustic start with relaxed silhouettes given natural embellishment in muted safari tones. Chino trousers are worn loose and low with turned up hems, paired with panelled jersey or a cream belted blazer. This season longer length skirts make a return; southern belles wear theirs just below the knee with an embroidered smock. Sleeveless shift and shirt dresses are given a swing with an a-line cut in neutral khaki tones or playful paisley print, embellishment is delicate in peacock green and blue.

Gingham check features across the season giving a western nod, scooped cowl neck, sleeveless tops and cropped tie waist shirts sit well with high waist, 70's kick flare denim. Lightweight gingham cotton parkas have utility detailing with pockets and drawstring waists. Outerwear in neutrals are updated with exaggerated collars and cuffs. Knitwear follows a relaxed form with oversized boyfriend cardigans, off the shoulder dresses and batwing tops.

Dresses flow from fitted to ladylike - key styles include the fitted scallop edge, ribbon stripe dress and 50's sweet-heart neck dress with matching cropped bolero, giving a definite nod to classic glamour. Marilyn Monroe esq prom dresses with full skirts add a more flirty appeal, with cut out back and boned corset detail, in a beautiful vintage china print.

As the weather heats up so does the collection. Modern graphics sit alongside colourful tribal stripes and beaded, flowing silk tunics. Traditional dog tooth prints in pastel colours are blown up and adorn jersey skirts and swing dresses. Jeans are given an acid wash and worn casually with a grey sweatshirt parka or military coat. 50's influenced work wear has a colonial update with deep green, high neck, calf length belted dresses.

Colour injections in lime green, orange and pink stripes feature across off the shoulder dresses, smock tops and loose knitted vest dresses. Eclectic chiffon handkerchief dresses are printed with outlines of a city scene, adding humour to a formal style.

The accessories range compliments the collection perfectly with luxurious statement pieces. The colonial theme carries through with wide woven belts that define the waist, or thin and leather with knot detailing. Metal work gives an edge to a cream large canvas bag. Leather bags feature all over tassels in chocolate brown or classic in tan with a mustard trim. Monochrome is key and makes a return in woven raffia across shoulder bags and clutches.

Oversized clutches make a statement - choose from the muted khaki weave with large wooden fastening or orange and black patent.

Swimwear brings glamour to the beach with matching prints featuring across triangle and bandeau bikini's, swimsuits and cover-ups. Choose from kaftans, strapless dresses or Grecian jersey styles. Bikini's are updated with frill edges in polka dot and stripes or wet look black with a twist detail bandeau top. One pieces are given edge with plunging necklines and low scoop backs.

For more information, images or samples please contact pressoffice@frenchconnection.com / 020 7036 7274


French Connection Spring 2009 Menswear

French Connection presents four diverse and dynamic ranges within the Spring Summer 09 collection to offer fashion conscious men a variety of looks to suit all occasions.

French Connection presents a more formal trend-driven take on summer stories, focussing on clean sophisticated lines and key individual statement pieces. Early in the season pieces see military influences where khaki combat shorts are adorned with unusually placed pockets. Epaulettes top off rolled-up sleeve shirts while zips lend a utility feel to pockets and high sheen finishes harden up early summer looks. The season's second injection gives a nod to classic motor racing with metallics and colour bringing the look to life. Chequered flag prints and bold stripes in primary colours give sports tops a retro feel, sitting perfectly under a perforated leather jacket. High shine metallic blue nylon jackets and apple green slim fit jeans give a sharp contrasting edge, while bright white denim with built in crease effect or waxy coated black denim create visual interest. When summer's in full swing, turn down the heat and stay dapper with 1930's styling and give an understated air of loose relaxed cool as muted colours prevail.

French Connection Formal, our premium suiting range, goes from strength to strength with comfortable compact linens perfect for a weekend away. Elegant lapels streamline the look from last season, while modern stretch fabrics have been used to compliment the slim silhouette. Cotton styles add a relaxed vibe to smart easy-to-wear suiting, in plain or patterned, striped or checked - perfect for your summer work wardrobe. Suiting continues to sit in a dedicated area in store, and comes with a completely free tailoring service on unfinished hems in store by trained staff.

FCUK offers a more sports inspired look, focussing on battered fabrics to give casual styles a raw edge. The motor racing influence is most prevalent in this part of the collection with acid washes on faded sweat tops in navy and khaki lending a lived-in feel, while patchwork, abstract seams, zips and piping add appeal. The navy bomber jacket with red piping and stripe cuffs, or a white and silver zip up hooded windcheater, are the ultimate casual summer jacket. Black or blue denim provides the perfect understated accompaniment. Shirts are simple yet suave - pick granddad styles with contrast cuffs or cool chintzy floral prints in purple or orange. Wear shirts open over plain block colour tees; a simple navy cardigan layers on top, while tonal stripe knits are a bolder alternative.

FC72 is a capsule collection of authentic vintage sportswear with a distinctly collegiate feel. The FC72 logo appears printed and sewn throughout to give the range unity. This range of relaxed sweats, checked shirts, and old school polo shirts play on traditional finishes and expectations. A striped polo shirt trim on the cuff of a short sleeve shirt surprises, while a red and white gingham shirt features different thicknesses of plaid, while patches on the cuffs and lapels give a twist to cowboy cool.

Accessories compliment the entire clothing range by utilising a variety of different fabrics, colours and formal and casual styles. Beautiful soft leather holdalls and perforated leather wallets add a touch of style and class to a smart summer look. A matching set of cream canvas travel bags in different sizes gives a Great Gatsby feel. Army colours and camouflage patterns adorn caps and bags, while webbing belts give a military edge to a laid back look. Belts are tan or chocolate brown leather and covered in studs or eyelet detail. Scarves are the essential accessory - stripes, checks, thin or thick - all in pastel hues, a palette which spills over to encapsulate our tie offering, the finishing touch to any of our formal suiting.

For more information, images or samples please contact pressoffice@frenchconnection.com / 020 7036 7274


French Connection Spring 2009 Kidswear

French Connection kidswear epitomizes summer's laid back cool - overly complicated style takes a back seat as washed out sweats, easy jersey and loose fit pieces run the show.

Girls

Floaty tops and dresses are all a girl needs to get her through this summer, and with a monochrome palette providing such a strong foundation it only takes a bold print or small burst of colour to liven up any outfit. Denim jackets and skirts look scorching hot teamed with a flame red top, while relaxed fit jeans come over cute as a button when topped off with a black and white heart print knit.

It's ahoy there sailorette and a very pretty polly indeed with strong nautical colours and detail features. From wide leg white cropped trousers, to stylish navy and white stripe pieces, or plain jersey tops with small striped bibs, classic interchangeable pieces give a sea-sonal feel to your summer look. A beautiful navy and white ric rac dress gives a nod to the trend and is the only party dress you'll need to keep you cooler than an ocean breeze.

Summer dresses are super sweet in candy colour stripes, and block colour cottons. Bows, buttons, and belts add girly detail to simple shift dresses. Vintage style floral or art deco jigsaw prints give a considered quality design feel to summer styles, meaning you can let your clothes make the effort without you having too - the perfect recipe for extra playtime this summer.

Boys

Cheeky chappies are kept happy in sporty summer threads with washed out basics and preppy pieces in neutral tones making the transition in to summer an effortless one. Shirts are summer essentials - whether they're crisp white with short sleeves and breast pockets, long sleeve checked shirts with rolled up sleeves under a fine knit sleeveless cardigan, or simple linen with pastel checks - flick your collar up and team with love-worn denim to inject some seriously style savvy attitude in to your look. A button front tee in distressed jersey, with raw edges on sleeves and hems, is perfect paired with a pair of grey and white thin stripe long shorts. To stand out from the crowd, add a pair of fluoro socks to keep one step ahead of the fashion crowd.

When the temperature rises, the crowds go wild and it's "On your marks, get set, go" in Grand Prix inspired sportswear. Grey marl jersey and denim is offset by vivid primary colours - from blue and red chequerboard flag jumpers, to yellow Team FC fabric badges sewn on tops that would make any champion racing driver proud. With all that action, make sure you wear a loose fit trouser for maximum movement - jeans are dark and lived-in, while chocolate brown combats are a cool casual alternative for that skater boy look.

For more information, high res images and prices, please contact Tobie Lewis on 0207 036 7274 or pressoffice@frenchconnection.com