by 
Of all the “core” fashion trends that will be taking over social media this summer, the latest one is definitely the most appealing.
The “heart of the Italian garden party”, essentially, requires the adopter to strut around in a botanical print dress, giving off the air of a rich, carefree person having a good time, and probably accessorising with a glass of prosecco. I’d take this over “tennis heart” or “cowboy heart” any day.
The name was coined by heiress Nicky Hilton Rothschild on her Instagram page – she captioned a picture of herself attending the annual Save Venice Gala arts preserve with the phrase, and some obligatory flower emojis. Hilton Rothschild wore a pale green chiffon dress with a poppy yellow print by Oscar de la Renta – she could just as easily have been at a wedding in Lake Como.
Although Hilton Rothschild called it, other labels also had plenty of references on the catwalk – Carolina Herrera, Giambattista Valli and Dior recently put moonflowers on film chiffon. You’ll also have seen the ultimate Italian garden party on TV – season three featured Lady Caroline’s Tuscan wedding Succession and then the second full season of it The White Lotus It had Taormina as its backdrop with Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya and Meghann Fahy’s Daphne portraying the look.
To be memorable for an Italian garden party, a dress needs some standout features. Greenery is essential – be it literal olive leaf prints or vines, or a more ambiguous nod to the richer, darker hues of European greenery. You might think of a lemon motif (very Sicilian) or a vivid bougainvillea. For fabric, there are two ways to go down; the ethereal chiffon (according to Hilton Rothschild) or breezy linen. For added authenticity, it would be great if the material you wear is produced in one of Italy’s luxury mills.
“Lake Como has always been a beautiful inspiration to me,” says designer Suzannah Crabb, founder of Suzannah London. “I visit there when I’m researching the Italian cloth mills I work with.”
Vintage plate dress, £165, Kitri
She’s also drawn to Tuscany – her new holiday collection features a rich landscape print, applied to Italian silk caftans, shirt dresses and palazzo trousers.
“Italy offers the most dreamy palette that never stops giving,” she says. “Lemon and jasmine prints are painted on a cotton shirt dress and kaftan [in my new collection], and a dreamy Tuscan landscape was created to be digitally painted. For a chic Italian polish, I’d add tan leather flats and refined straw millinery.”
While Suzannah London’s take on the “heart of the Italian garden party” is quite literal, other brands have gone in different directions. Kitri’s new range features vine leaf prints, as well as an unusual trattoria plate pattern – the graphic design includes nods to olives and lemons, tomatoes and mozzarella; all the ingredients for a delicious caprese, on your dress.
Dolce & Gabbana’s new Flower Power Collection is rendered in lemon yellow roses – matching accessories include signature Sicilian bags in yellow and green, espadrille wedges with floral ribbon ties, and twin silk scarves.
For those who prefer to avoid loud prints, the Mondo Corsini label will still help you set the mood. Founder Susan Corsini was inspired this summer by trips with her Italian family to Costa Smeralda, “a playground for high-life Europeans in the 1960s”.
Mariam linen dress, £340, Mondo Corsini
“An Italian garden party is a great excuse to turn up the drama,” says Corsini. “I always lean towards exaggerated silhouettes – dresses with billowing sleeves and sweeping lawn length skirts.”
Corsini says the stylistic trick to be noticed is a balancing act; either go for a maximum print with minimalist accessories, or a color block dress and statement earrings. Her linen dresses come in pastel earth tones to match your villa, as well as bolder hibiscus flower prints.
“I love the idea of elevating a floor-length linen kaftan or column dress for evening with swept-back hair and statement jewellery,” she says. “When I’m not wearing my own brand, I’ll choose a classic print from La Double J or Borgo de Nor and keep the accessories simple.”
Dressing for your dream holiday destination (even if you’re still very much at home in the UK) is a guaranteed mood lifter. Go for a glam garden party, whatever the occasion – and pop open the prosecco.
Dress for the hot Mediterranean sun…
Summer wedding dress, £375, Needle & Thread; Vine skirt, £120, Kitri; Lemon beaded bag, £70, The Jacksons
Linen dress, £200, Pink City Prints; Leaf silk scarf, £250, Dolce & Gabbana
