December 16, 2020 at 05:00AM
I’ve never met a Ganni dress I didn’t like. Despite being launched in 2009, it wasn’t until 2016 that Ganni became ubiquitous among the fashion crowd thanks to Creative Director Ditte Reffstrup’s ability to showcase a new, more modern Scandi style. For years now, fashion girls have been hooked on the pieces that are directional but not too out there, the Who What Wear team included. Initially, when the label caught the eye of the industry, you couldn’t move for the Cherry Bomb and Space Cowboy tees seen on every other street styler. Then came the ballon-sleeve jumpers in bright colours that remain popular today.
Street styler wearing the Cherry Bomb Ganni T-shirt. But I truly believe the item that has real lasting power is a Ganni dress. The beauty about these pieces is that they could have been created five years ago and still appear on-trend today. I have a few theories about why this is the case. Firstly, the contemporary brand has stuck to the stuff it knows best. While it dips its toes into newer styles or prints here and there, on the whole, you can rely on it to give you similar style pieces over and over, with a few tweaks for the season. Second, it’s tapped into what women really want—clothes that are comfortable but look cool.
Ganni A/W 17 Runway, Copenhagen Fashion Week . Original fans of the brand’s dresses will remember it started offering prairie-style frocks way before the Laura Ashley resurgence in 2019 (as seen above in a polka-dot print). There were also sheer embellished dresses that were great for parties and shirt dresses from a couple of years ago that are still ideal for weekends. Satin dresses with ruffles have been another cornerstone of its frock repertoire. But perhaps the most recognisable Ganni dresses are those that come in leopard print. Whether wrap, maxi, off the shoulder, body-con, etc., there are few dress styles to which Ganni hasn’t given its signature animal print. Even in 2020, the cult brand’s star continues to rise. After it was featured in Netflix show Emily in Paris, searches for Ganni skirts rose significantly (+289%, according to global fashion search platform Lyst’s 2020 report). This coming season is no different from Ganni’s usual offering, only that it’s upped the ante when it comes to the range and sheer volume available. There are more styles and more exciting prints to choose from as well as dresses in leather, denim, silk, and sequins. Keep scrolling to see the best Ganni dresses on the runway and how our favourite influencers have worn some of the most recognisable styles. Then, keep going to shop the best dresses right now.
Ganni A/W 17 Runway, Copenhagen Fashion Week
Ganni S/S 18 Runway, Copenhagen Fashion Week
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Ganni A/W 18 Runway, Copenhagen Fashion Week
Ganni A/W 20 Runway, Copenhagen Fashion Week
Style Notes: The mix-and-match print is another classic Ganni look.
Style Notes: A cut-out dress from last season that we’d love to wear this coming spring/summer 2021.
Style Notes: This seersucker dress has been recreated in so many different colours, so be prepared to see it again in 2021.
Style Notes: Ganni might be very good at doing day dresses, but here’s proof that the brand does a great evening look, too, with this zebra-print body-con frock.
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Style Notes: Emma, Who What Wear’s editor, in a Ganni shirt dress (as seen further up on the runway).
Style Notes: Scandi girl Nnenna knows a great dress when she sees it, and this Ganni embellished one is super dreamy.
Style Notes: If you’re looking for tips on how to style a Ganni dress, look no further than Hodan.
Style Notes: Who What Wear’s editor in chief, Hannah, still wears her Ganni dress from a few seasons ago—further proof that this brand has lasting power.
Style Notes: Don’t overlook the floral prints from Ganni that are never frumpy and are always cool.
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Next up, The biggest spring/summer 2021 fashion trends to know.
Author Elinor Block | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC