Spring 2012 Fashion Trends: Bright and Pastel Colors

The spring 2012 runway shows may have ended, but Fashionistas everywhere are still thinking about the silhouettes, colors and inspiration that were sent down the catwalks. One of the biggest trends seen throughout the world for spring 2012 collections was the lack of neutrals and the introduction of color.

While colors have been a mainstay on the runway for the past several seasons, spring 2012 has given us a bold variety of colors to choose from. The past few seasons have shown bright and bold colors on the runways; and in some cases neon. Spring 2012 is giving the fashion world a choice of color. Colors are no longer limited to bright and bold hues; instead, spring 2012 offers everyone a choice-bright or pastel.

Louis Vuitton, and Paris designers in general, sent pretty pastels down the spring 2012 runways. The pastel shades evoked a feminine vibe; another continuing trend from 2011 into 2012. Pastels were shown in every color possible from baby pink to ice blue to soft yellow. The broad range of colors offer a breath of fresh air and an array of choices for shoppers when spring 2012 collection begin to hit store shelves.

Although pastel hues made their mark on the Paris catwalks, bright and bold colors were a mainstay in New York, Milan, London and Berlin (they were also seen in Paris). Bold colors have already begun popping up on the Canadian catwalks for spring 2012; which are going on as we speak. Pantone, the world authority on color, reported earlier this year that orange or “Tangerine Mango” was the most ordered dye color for spring 2012 fashions; signaling the importance of this bright hue in the upcoming year.

While bold colors are obviously important for spring 2012, pastels are peeking back into fashion and their appearance on the Paris runways is proof that the soft shades are just beginning their reign as the new color palette in seasons to come. This isn’t to say that bold colors will fade into the background for fall 2012, in fact they are continuing to remain important, it just means that pastel hues will begin to gain importance, and are at the beginning of their cycle in the fashion world.

 

spring 2012 by bayareafashionista featuring The Cambridge Satchel Company handbags

Chanel spring 2012 nail polish colors give us a peek into new nail trends

Chanel’s spring 2012 nail polish colors, April, June and May, have been revealed courtesy of polyvore.com. The hot new shades of Chanel nail polish will no doubt fly off of store shelves; as Chanel nail polish tends to do every season. Chanel’s new spring 2012 nail polish colors, April,  June and May are classic yet sassy; and anything but understated.

While bright and bold colors dominated the runways in the spring 2012 shows throughout the world, Paris designers gave the fashion world more of a pastel hue for the season. Although Chanel’s show was predominately white, nails were bright and bold, with a touch of timelessness.

Chanel April is a classic red color which is bouncing off the holiday 2011 collection that included Rouge Carat; a classic pinkish red. June by Chanel is a peachy orange which will work perfectly with spring 2012’s color of the season “Tangerine Mango” by Pantone. (also commonly known as orange) April is a soft, almost pinkish orange which will be easy to wear with both bold colors and pastels; making it a good transitional color for Fashionistas who plan to wear pastels and brights this spring 2012 season. Lastly, Chanel May is a candy pink reminiscent of Spring 2011’s “Honeysuckle” pink and resort 2011’s Candy pink. Chanel May will also work with both pastels and brights for the spring 2012 season while giving Fashionistas a sassy yet classic choice of nail color.

As the spring 2012 season begins to arrive on store shelves early next year, it should be interesting to see which Chanel nail color becomes the “IT” nail polish of the season. Will it be April, June or May? 

 

Chanel nail polish spring 2012 by bayareafashionista featuring a chanel nail color

Amen Jewelry combines precious metals and stones to create works of classic art

San Francisco Bay Area native, Lisa Novak, relocated to Mercer Island near Seattle a few years back and in early 2011, the designer launched her line of religious jewelry; Amen Jewelry. The collection of jewelry, inspired by a quote from Pope John Paul II, “Become what you are,” has become an instant favorite of the catholic set while reaching out to a broader, non-secular audience.

Lisa Novak sources her materials from local sources and designs jewelry cast from gold, silver and bronze. Amen Jewelry combines the precious metals with both semi-precious and precious stones making each piece an instant, heirloom quality work of art.

Amen Jewelry carries earrings, rings, necklaces and pendants for men, women and children. While the majority of the designs are Catholic or Christian symbols, there are designs which appeal to a wider audience and can easily be enjoyed by non-religious jewelry fans.

Amen Jewelry donate 10% of it’s’ profits to local charities in the Seattle metro area. To learn more, please visit amenjewelry.com

amen