Spring/Summer 2012

Trend report

21st Century Gatsy

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan in this year’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby; flapper dresses at Gucci and Victoria Beckham; a yearning for shimmer and shine – oh yes, the ’20s are ripe for inspiration. While the drop-waist dress is a key style for the season, modern girls avoid looking retro by subverting the look with neon accessories, hi-top trainers and digi prints.

CMYK! COLOUR BLAST

Fierce colour continues to rule the catwalks and the sidewalks. This season, if we had to root for one shade, it’d be yellow: yup, in every variation from dandelion to smiley-face, sunny shades are lifting our mood. See also: blood orange and Yves Klein blue. If you’re feeling bold, go for a total colour look; otherwise, stick to a brightly-hued pair of jeans (still a massive wardrobe hit) with a white shirt or sweatshirt.

FREAK LIKE ME

Meadham Kirchhoff’s friendship with teen fashion blogger Tavi has spawned a trend for novelty and what the design duo calls ‘anti beauty’: think subverted grunge queen meets Raggedy Ann doll – it sounds bonkers, but the result is surprisingly wearable: pretty net skirts, pastel slips and nu-rave accessories, as well as decal motifs on accessories and conversational prints on clothing, as seen at Prada.

GAME ON

Call it Olympics fever or

that the return of colour

and print calls for a fuss-

free modern silhouette,

but sporty features are in

the air. Marc Jacobs and

Thomas Tait sent out

luxury sweatshirts, this

season’s new statement

jumper, Alexander Wang

was hot off the mark with

BMX bandit style, and

there were cagoules

aplenty; Peter Pilotto,

meanwhile, went techno-

fabulous with scuba zip

detailing. Look for racer-

front vests, two-tone,

crop tops and this

season’s Marmite piece,

the wedge hi-top trainer.

LACE ODYSSEY

Lace is still going strong (good news for those of us who bought into it last season). What’s new? Oversize reworkings of traditional broderie anglaise at Louis Vuitton, lilac and pale pink eyelet patterns at Prada, with a stronger, darker vibe in drenched indigo blue (Elie Saab) and scarlet (Valentino) with awkward-cute Japanese-inspired layering at Miu Miu, all of which look perfect when teamed with the new boxy jacket shape or on a peplum dress.

MERMAIDS

By the time Florence

Welch emerged, singing,

from a giant sea shell at

the Chanel show, it was

clear an oceanic wave

was riding the catwalks.

Mermaid-esque gowns

shimmered at Armani

and Alexander McQueen,

metallics in soft hues

were everywhere and

aquatic-themed details

had a moment; at

Theyskens’ Theory,

meanwhile, it was about

a modern interpretation

of Neptunian-hued

shimmer on utilitarian

pieces teamed with

bovver boots, shorts and

a biker jacket.

PRETTY SWEET

Sugar was back on the fashion menu with Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton leading the charge. His delectable collection of pastels, lace and feathers crowned the umbrella skirt as the season’s new piece, in shades like mint green, lilac and pale pink. Appliqué daisies at Prada and soft frills at Chanel added extra frosting to the innocent new mood.

PYJAMA PARTY

Go on, slip into something more comfortable and join the pyjama party! Silky ensembles stepped out of the boudoir and onto the runway with Royal Tenenbaums-like monogrammed sets at J.W. Anderson, gentleman scarf-print trousers at Paul Smith and sumptuous, slouchy numbers at Lanvin and Stella McCartney. It’s all about a slouchy silhouette and a take on evening that is more house party than bedroom.

TOTAL PRINT

It started with the Céline resort 2012 collection and grew, vine-like, from there: head-to-toe prints in digi florals, daisies, tropical blooms and zigzags, sprawled over collections as diverse as Carven, Proenza Schouler and Christopher Kane. For a less extrovert look, work your patterned trousers with a plain pastel top or your printed luxe T-shirt with a umbrella skirt.

TRIBAL GATHERING

Designers have diverted their attention from the great plains of America to the sun soaked Serengeti for Spring. Tribal patterns, animal prints (in partics, zebra!) and raffia work raced down the runways of Marni, Burberry Prorsum, and J.W. Anderson. Alexander Wang put an African spin on sportswear and Balenciaga pimped up the Safari suit – yep, they’re baaaack – with techno sheen fabrics. A tribal motif dress is your easy in, but bright beadwork, fringing and crochet knits all have that cool, hand-crafted vibe to them too.

Autumn/Winter 2011

Trend report

COWBOYS AND INDIANS

Yee ha! Giddyup for the ride of the season, as Apache patterns and ponchos, fringing, denim and sheriff neckties all come galloping into town.

But if you’re not going to a saloon via 1870 then those ponchos and Navajo prints liven up Winter holiday wardrobes nicely.

Ponchos and capes, denim shirts and fringed boots

FETISH

As soon as Kate Moss had exited the Louis Vuitton show wearing bondage boots and smoking a ciggie, followed by Lady Gaga doing the same in skin-tight leather at Mugler, our suspicions were confirmed: fetish wear is cracking its whip.

It’s do-able in the office (waist-cinching belt over a shirt, anyone?), but perhaps best saved for a night out with the girls, eh?

Wide belts, an Officer’s cap and anything in black leather

GIRL-BOY

Forget boys – it’s their wardrobes we’re flirting with this season. Mash Teddy Boy with Psychobilly, Mod with New Wave, and make like a spiffy Savile Row habitué.

The androgynous trend can pretty much kick it on any style scene, but you’ll really impress suited and booted at job interviews.

Crombie coats, ankle-grazing trousers and loafers

HERITAGE

Dust off your Crombie – British heritage designs and fabrics are having a major moment. Tweed, plaid, herringbone and more featured heavily on the catwalk, her ladyship has definitely returned to the manor.

Scientists have recently proved that wearing heritage fashion during a weekend in the countryside actually increases your enjoyment by an average of 378%. Fact!

Mannish coats, midi-skirts and fedoras

JEWEL BOX COLOURS

A rainbow has exploded

in our wardrobe, and is

showing no signs of

fading. For autumn, the

palette has evolved into

burgundy, petrol blue,

primrose yellow and

scarlet, with a garnish of

eye-watering mustard.

Rich hues pack a pretty

punch anywhere, but in

partics at Winter

weddings; we suggest

you say I do to this one

sharpish.

Bright jumpers, tonal

socks and Winter

sandals

L.A. VINTAGE

This girl is well travelled, mainly hanging out in Los Angeles by way of Coachella, checking out the thrift stores on the way. Her inspiration? A ‘40s silhouette mixed with ‘70s bohemia by day and Studio 54-worthy gowns by night.

This wily trend will take you from the comfort of your couch to the red carpet and everywhere in-between quicker than you can doff your wide-brimmed hat.

Midi skirts, slinky gowns and culottes

LADYLIKE

Book in that mani-pedi and blowout: a very put-together, elegant look click-clacked down the runways, heralding the return of ladylike chic.

One part seductive secretary to two parts ladies-that-lunch, trussed up in this trend you'll epitomise sultry sophistication on date night.

Pencil skirts, pussy bow blouses and pointed court shoes

MOD SQUAD

Tunic dresses, a boxy silhouette and knee-high boots in pastel shades came zooming down the runways. Just add a scooter and lashings of mascara.

Fashion’s workhorse, the ‘60s trend is chock-a-block full of practical, versatile separates. Break it out in the office and that’s your A/W’11 work-wearwardrobe licked.

Shift dresses, boxy jackets and knee-high boots

THE POWER JUMPER

The humble pullover has come into its own this season, featuring eye-catching motifs, OTT detailing a slouchy silhouette. This is knitwear on style steroids.

Soothing and cosy, the trophy knit is the style equivalent of a hot cuppa on a chilly day, deserving pride of place in your weekend wardrobe.

Slouchy sweaters, bright knits and eye-catchingpatterned jumpers

WILD THINGS

Fashion is hearing the call of the wild, with animal motifs encroaching on the urban fashion massive. Snakeskin print was everywhere, as were fuzzy gorilla-like jackets, while paillettes evocative of fish scales glistened and dark florals bloomed.

All that jungle drama is at home anywhere ending with party; we’re talking Christmas, birthday,cocktail...

Faux fur jackets, snakeskin bags and floral print trousers