Karen Walker Resort 2017 – Eat Cake

In Karen Walker’s Resort collection, there’s a street battle being waged. In one corner, with arms crossed in a hip-hop stance we have a crew of 1970s beat boys. In the other, Marie Antoinette, France’s notoriously indulgent Dauphine is ready to mix it up and come to the party one last time for the ultimate conflict. We have pulled out an edit of our favourite pieces which we think will be perfect for summer gatherings, laid back weddings and occasions.

Cultural clash has always been crucial to Walker’s collections and this time the opponents are gloriously mismatched as she pits the soft, vulnerability of a noblewoman’s Louis XVI sous-vêtements

– the bloomers, bows, frills and bonnets in soft cotton voiles and French gauze – against the equally iconic Rock Steady stylings of the old skool in their bomber jackets, preppy sportswear and Kangol-chic.

While Marie Antoinette’s head on a cake stand takes the title of the collection literally there’s also a great bake-off in uence evident in the trimmings of the collection; ruf es, grosgrain and rosettes, and the iced lemons and fondant powder blue colour hues. Lolly brights give added bite and the navy and white Wedgwood-esque print could have been lifted straight from the plate.

Defiant when confronted with the end days f her empire, there’s a doomed exuberance to our dressed-down-Dauphine that chimes with modern times. The season’s slogan – May you live in interesting times – is both heartfelt and tongue-in-chic. Be careful what you wish for.

Eat Cake by Karen Walker will be available globally through Karen Walker stores, karenwalker.com and select retailers from October 2017.