Bay Area Fashionista

Spring 2011 Fashion Trends from the runway: Embellishments

Embellishments were all over the runways during New York, Paris, London and Milan’s fashion week’s for spring 2011. Designers such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Roberto Cavalli showed fringe, feathers and other embellishments on frocks which proved to the fashion savvy world that minimalism is on it’s way out. Although minimalism was still present on many runways in New York, and scattered on a few runways in Europe, the overall movement in fashion for spring 2011 is embellished fabric, mixed colors, not-so-basic neutrals and a return to bling.

Fringe, feathers and unique adornments were seen on classic dresses by Chanel as well as hippie chic skirts by Roberto Cavalli. The embellished fabrics did not discriminate when it came to trend or style type. Vintage and modern looks were given short fringe, long fringe, some feathers or full blown out feathered fabrics. Designers even created florals out of fabric and leather as well as adorned frocks in sequins and even seashells; Roberto Cavalli was responsible for the seashells.

As fashion savvy shoppers over the past seasons we have been building up our basics and core wardrobe essentials while the recession was in full swing and designers produced 90’s minimalism looks for store shelves. Department store buyers even shied away from bright colors or exotic styles and opted to fill their racks with more classic and easy to sell pieces. Now that The White House has declared that the recession is over, whether or not we choose to believe it due to our own circumstances, the fashion world has returned to embellishments and bling. As resort collections roll into stores this month, there is a spark of hope that the not-so-basic pieces from the runway will make into the shops and eventually into our closet’s. Candy colored handbags, shoes and frocks are arriving for the resort and cruise season in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. This could signal more confidence in store buyers which in turn, could mean more buyer confidence from consumers.

As spring 2011 rolls into the stores, Fashionistas are hoping to see the bright colors and fabulous embellishments that were shown all over the runways. Since this is the start of the embellishment trend, it is the perfect time to invest in fringe, feathers and all that adorns a fabulous piece of clothing. Why not grab a fringe leather jacket? Find a handbag with a huge tassel! Go for three color shoes with an ankle strap or an open-toe bootie! The last thing we want to purchase for spring 2011 is something basic and boring; after all, that is what we have been buying over the past two years! Ugh! It is time for some fun and playful fashions to enter our closets. Savvy shoppers will look at the resort and cruise collections for spring 2011 trends. The best items to look for are dresses with fringe, jackets with flair, vests with feathers, handbags with tassel’s and multi-colored shoes. Happy shopping and stay fabulous

Spring 2011 Jewelry Trends: The Double Cuff

The cuff was one of the prominent bracelet styles on the runway for spring 2011. Designers showed cuffs in various colors of metals as well as fabrications. The cuffs on the New York, Paris, Milan and London runways were, in general, embellished with semi-precious stones, carved or anything but plain. The solid metal, polished cuff from last year was scarcely seen on the runway as designers opted for more unique and eye-catching styles.

In addition to ornate cuffs, the cuffs were not left to adorn just one arm, no no! Designers created two matching cuffs and placed one on the left and one on the right. The double cuff was prominent on the runways and took fashion savvy onlookers back to earlier in the century when the double cuff was the only way to wear a cuff bracelet. The difference between the double cuff trend for spring 2011 and the double cuff trend from yesteryear is that the current cuffs are embellished, whereas last time around the cuffs were polished and simplistic silver or gold.

Resort, which is usually a snapshot into spring, did feature the double cuff in it’s previous form; highly polished metal. Designers such as Celine showed highly polished silver and gold double cuffs in their resort or cruise collections taking Fashionistas back in time. While other designers, such as Chanel, went right for the spring trend of the embellished double cuff.

Chanel showed double cuffs for both cruise and spring with chunks of varying colors of semi-precious stones. Derek Lam featured double cuffs in heavy, multi-colored metal with heft. Stella McCartney created cuffs that appeared to look like tuxedo cuffs with black enamel set into brass.
The majority of the cuffs from the spring 2011 runways are bold, over 2″ thick and embellished. There was not one dominant metal color as silver, yellow gold, rose gold, brass and dark metals were shown. This is one trend where you can shop your jewelry box for cuffs from the last time this trend was hot. Otherwise, this is a good time to start looking for a fabulous cuff times two. Of course, the more embellished with semi-precious stones, the higher price. Thankfully there are jewelry lines which are more affordable for buying in two’s. H & M has several cuffs with heft or embellishments that are right on trend for spring. Cookie Lee also offers fabulous cuffs at fabulous prices. Happy Shopping and stay fabulous

Spring 2011 Fashion Trends: Rocker Chic

Rocker Chic appeared on many of the spring 2011 runways including Burberry Prorsum and Chanel. The Rocker Chic trend includes black leather pants, black leather shorts, motorcycle jackets, leather skirts, studs, fingerless gloves, heavy make-up and edgy jewelry. Unlike the Rocker Chic trend a few years back, the spring 2011 trend is sleeker and more understated than the last time around.

Designers included small studs in both gold and silver on the spring runways for 2011. The studs appeared mainly on accessories such as handbags, shoes, gloves and cuffs. The studded handbags from a few years back were heavily studded and included large hardware on the straps. For spring 2011 the studs are more minimal; being shown as trim around the edges of handbags.

The Rocker Chic footwear for spring 2011 included motorcycle style boots; both ankle and knee high. The boots include studs, buckles and zipper-like details as well as other, small metal embellishments.

Rocker Chic is a trend which is not being done head-to-toe for spring 2011. The look is to be understated with one or two hardcore pieces mixed together with basics or minimalist pieces. You can pair studded footwear with Levi’s and a tee-shirt or a motorcycle jacket over a soft sundress with classic sandals. You may want to look for one or two pieces of this trend that catch your eye such as a handbag or fabulous pair of boots, and then mix the items in with the rest of your wardrobe.

This is one trend that can easily be found in many Fashionistas closet’s. Since the Rocker Chic trend was around just about three to four years ago, many fashion savvy shoppers have motorcycle boots and black leather tucked away in their closets. Also, Balenciaga lovers will be right on trend with their BBags in any style of hardware.

The Rocker Chic trend can easily be found on store shelves right now, making it one of spring’s trends that can be jump started right now. Nine West currently has fabulous ankle booties with studs for fall which can be worn now throughout 2011; after all, the ankle bootie is a huge shoe trend for spring 2011 too! In fact, the Nine West collection for fall includes multiple rocker chic pieces which can easily carry you into fall, and the prices are not too shocking on the wallet Happy Shopping and stay fabulous

Cookie Notice