runway trends

Spring 2011 Fashion Trends: Florals

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged florals / runway trends / spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

Florals are hot for spring 2011! As the ladylike trend from fall 2010 turns into the feminine trend for spring 2011, designers have moved into floral territory. Designers in New York, Paris and Milan created flowing frocks in soft fabrics which were feminine and reminiscent of a slight breeze whisking past you in an open meadow filled with flowers and tall grass; weeping willows in background. It is only natural that in addition to the soft pastels associated with the feminine trend for spring, that designers would also add the floral prints or screen to the trend as well.
Florals appeared all over the runways in two distinct forms for spring 2011. There were small floral prints mainly on flowing skirts and dresses as well as silkscreen, painterly florals which were often artistically asymmetrical. Designers such as Chanel, John Galliano, Nina Ricci, Christian Dior, Rodarte, Vera Wangand Carolina Herrera to name a few, showed either small floral prints or breezy, artistic florals on skirts and dresses for spring 2011.

Florals prints appeared on silk, chiffon and sheer fabrics. Designers paired florals with solid colors which either part of the bold color trend or the pastel trend. Florals were shown on soft fabrics mixed with fabrics such as taffeta, lace, thicker silks and soft cotton. Even when a designer, such as Carolina Herrera who created a structured sheath dress with lace and a large floral designs, put the fabrics together in a non-flowy look, the florals still gave the frock a certain feminine allure, taking Fashionistas right back to the meadow with willow trees and flowers.
Florals have not been a huge trend in recent fashion history, making the trend fresh and interesting. The large floral designs which were off-center and artistic may turn into a new, season defining trend if the look makes it from the runways into reality. Hopefully store buyers will see the floral trend as fresh and understand that consumers are tired of minimalism and looking for more playful looks in fashion. It should be interesting to see which parts of the floral trend hit store shelves in the next three months as spring begins to trickle into the shops. When florals do arrive in stores, this is one trend you will want to jump on right away. Since the artistic florals are fresh and new, they may just fly off the racks faster than a Cabbage Patch Kid in 1983. Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

Spring 2011 Fashion Trends from the runway: Embellishments

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged runway trends / spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

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 Shoes Trends: Ankle Straps

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged ankle straps / runway trends / spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

Ankle straps are making a comeback on everything from flat sandals to sky-high heels. The last time the ankle strap donned the well-heeled was about five to six years ago when Manolo Blahnik created bow tie ankle strap heels and Chanel strapped the ankles of the fashion savvy everywhere.

The high heels and flat sandals on the runway in New York, Paris, London and Milan showed varied sole heights and color combinations. Some of the trends that were visible were bold colors mixed together, suede, flowers and embellishments. The one common theme on shoes was the ankle strap. The ankle straps on the runway at Louis Vuitton featured both buckles and bow tie’s. While John Galliano featured platforms with buckled ankle straps. Christian Dior featured bow tie ankle straps that wrapped around the ankle a few times; a nod to the Greek sandal. Nina Ricci featured both single and double buckled ankle straps as well as the bow tie ankle strap. Dolce & Gabbana also featured both the bucked ankle strap and the bow tie version. Versace showed thick, buttoned ankle straps which gave a nod to the 1960’s trend. Gianfranco Ferre featured a triple, buckled ankles strap on his runway. Gucci showed the single, buckled ankle strap. Anna Sui’s take on the ankle strap was with two thick, criss-cross straps that buckled in the back. Rodarte also featured thick, buckled ankle straps on the runway as well as Bagley Mishka. Marc Jacobs featured scarf bow tie ankle straps on his New York Fashion Week runway which stood out against neutral, everyday separates.

The verdict is in! The ankle strap is back and it is coming in many different forms from bow tie’s, to single, double and even triple straps. The criss cross ankle strap, although not as visible, will also be part of the trend. This is a great trend for shopping your closet. The ankle strap comes and goes every few years, so if you do not already have a pair in your closet from the last time around, this is a great trend to invest in. The high heels are showing in both platform and flat soles. There is mix of colors and textures. You cannot go wrong with any color combination or fabrication. Metallic, pastels, bold colors, candy colors, exotics, patterns. . . the list goes on for what will hot for spring 2011 shoes. Happy shopping and stay fabulous