Spring / Summer 2012 Color and Textures Trends Forecast

Color & Material Trends – Spring / Summer 2012



SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

It is time to look ahead, step out in a lively, bold spirit.
A season for exchanges and celebrations, time to share, act, discover and create.
Take hold of fashion and its codes. Tell your own story.
Play with colors and materials.
Have fun mixing and matching, taking risks.

TRENDS IN COLORS & TEXTURES

A season of more eclectic, open styles.
Colors play on contrasts and paradoxes to surprise us and can be mixed without restraint:

- Subdued tones for reassuring elegance
- Natural, restful colors
- Exuberant, vivid flashes for fun and festivities
- Diaphanous colors for new romanticism with an eye on the future
A season with very subtle changes in textures and effects.
The beautiful classics play at innovation.
Surface effects and finishes are inspired by nature, but an idealized nature.
Technical materials go sophisticated and romantic.
Textures and materials fuse to create vibrating effects.

A season looking for balance, in which nature and technological innovation team up in a dynamic search for elegance, a sustainable world and generous color.
SEASON COLOR STORY FORECASTS

• Be escapist
CASUAL ELEGANCE
• Be daring
URBAN GLAMOUR
• Be imaginative
ROMANTIC FUTURE
• Be inventive
TRAVEL MEMORY



- Be escapist – CASUAL ELEGANCE



STYLE & SPIRIT
Escape to the wilds…
A refined style for chilling out and relaxation
but also for top performance.
The casual look goes sophisticated and outdoor
wear is easily more elegant…

COLORS
True colors, precious inspiration from idealised
nature. A subtle harmony between vegetable,
mineral and aquatic shades, which tempts us to
escape into the wilds.
A range of greenish or bluish tones, khaki, greyish
tinges, with changing effects.

MATERIALS & TEXTURES
Materials and textures take their inspiration from nature

• Nappa – Goat grain – Suede flesh split – Coloured metallic leather, perlato – Supple vegetable leather – Exotic fish skins: stingray, eel, perch – Carapaces and big reptiles – Glossy short-haired pelts – Coated or double-sided canvas – Irregular, glossy or patent leather plaits – Bamboo.
• Changing, reflective, washed out, faded, tie & dye effects – Mossy effects – Glossy, wet, lacquered finishes – Camouflage net decoration – Traces, imprints, markings and engravings inspired by nature.
• Accessories: semi-precious stones and metals with changing looks, like meteorites – Malachite, agate and lapis lazuli.



- Be daring – URBAN GLAMOUR



STYLE & SPIRIT
Dare be glamorous day-to-day…
An uninhibited urban theme, which diverts the
codes of luxury and seduction in a contemporary
spirit.

COLORS
Punchy red as the pivot of a range that revives
timeless colours with the sensuality of charnel,
cosmetic accents.

MATERIALS & TEXTURES
The beautiful classics play at seduction

• Flawless smooth leather – Suede leather – Stiff box leather – Crushed lambskin – Supple upholstery leather – Patent leather – Double sided fabrics – Sanded mat leather – Slightly glittery leather.
• Satiny effects – Simplistic graphic perforations – Diagonal fringes – 50s scarf prints, floral and narrow stripes.
• Leather accessories, tassels and covered buckles – Murano-style under glass jewellery – Gold glitter jewellery – Precious stone trims.



- Be imaginative – ROMANTIC FUTURE



STYLE & SPIRIT
Imagine the fashion of tomorrow…
A style combining technical prowess and
simplicity with romanticism.
A fresh, playful, joyous style, full of vitality, for
today… but really for tomorrow!

COLORS
An avant-garde range, full of zip and fizz… Colours
conjuring up a poetic future in a tangy, diaphanous
breeze.

MATERIALS & TEXTURES
Technical materials become more sophisticated and romantic.

• Very fine leather – Aniline lambskin – Kangaroo – Matt cotton and chintz – Poplin and nylon canvas – PVC, neoprene and rubber – Translucent
rubber – Transparent materials – Futuristic net and mesh.
• Lacquered textures – Iridescent changing effects – Puffy, parachute looks – Smooth or crushed papery feel – Summer quilting.
• Accessories: clear, translucent or white painted jewellery – Plastic and perforated crystal – Water-coloured mother-of-pearl, moonstone – Feathers
and short summer furs.



- Be inventive – TRAVEL MEMORY

"Style is a simple way of saying complicated things. ~ Jean Cocteau"

*** Source from Trendhype.com

With Love,
♥ Juliana Violet ♥

Violet Swan?

Violet Swan? ;)

It has been a while I didn't update this blog.
Life kinda busy right now, with my newborn nephew, Arif Danial Hakim… (get well soon sayang… his jaundice level was quite high), work - im still struggling to get used with some of the drastic changes on my daily work, I need to move out from my current house in about 2 months, and yeah … bla bla bla… some other 'lousy stuff' which gave me a 'crippling' headache… (=_=)"

And insomnia had troubling my life once again. Sigh... (=_=)"
My weight has increased and now I had the pimple all over my face... and guess what, I fell sooooo 'comel' with all of the 'lemak berkrim disukai ramai' on my body and with all of the 'devil' pimple... >:D

Na'aahh... I'm totally unhappy with that man... ='(

Some of you, (Fbians) must be wondering what happened to my FB wall, etc… Apologies for those who may not like it, it just I'm not really in a mood to update my status plus I'm kinda busy these day and need to slooooowly settle down a few things within these few months (could be more than half year!), so - I really need a space, a break from everything for a while. You guys will always support me right, my dearest friends? Right?
I wish… :)

"99 Hari Kisah Klasik Kita" still there… Don't worry… ;)

Okay, enough mumbling. For those fashionistas out there, I would love to share some infos with you. ;)

While resting at home yesterday, I randomly blogwalking to a few of Malaysian's fashion designer's blog and the new black dress from Faizal Hamid really captured my eyes. The reason is, he came with a new collection which is very stunning new collection for Spring/Summer 2011. Little Black Swan. Little Black Swan references the art house film, particularly Natalie Portman in ‘Black Swan’. Her character embodied the traditional undeniable beauty, grace and irresistible yet gradually haunting. As cocktail and evening dresses paraded down, the 10 looks run the gamut of what any fashion-forward woman would clamor to wear. Like the mix of taffeta, chiffon and tulle with elements of demi-couture, intriguing and soigné with the black silk organza mini dress with effortlessly draping for the bodice and exquisite dress gown with a refine construction.

Last few weeks, I do watch the "Black Swan Trailer" which is posted by Nina Gracia on her wall on FB. Owh~ I just loooooveeee the "Black Swan" poster. Natalie Portman is always pretty and gorgeous no matter how. Remember when she had a very short boyish haircut? She still look pretty, sweet and cute. ;)


... back to Little Black Swan from Faizal Hamid, below are some of his collection, 'kidnaped' from Faizal Hamid's blog.

"Koleksi Faizal Hamid, Musim Panas/ Bunga 2011, dihasilkan eksklusif untuk pasaran di New York , Amerika Syarikat. Dengan tema Black Swan, di inspirasikan daripada salah sebuah filem seni (art film) juga dari judul yang sama, lakonan Natalie Portman yang kini cukup mendapat sambutan dikalangan peminat dan pengkritik filem antarabangsa. Watak beliau dalam filem ini cukup mengesankan, penuh mainan emosi serta keanggunan yang amat memukau. Ia cukup memberikan saya inspirasi segar untuk berkarya hingga terhasilnya koleksi ini, yang merupakan perspektif saya sendiri terhadap dunia fesyen itu sendiri.

Sejujurnya saya hasilkan koleksi ini, atas permintaan rakan-rakan saya yang menetap di New York . Koleksi ini paling dekat dihati saya kerana ia merupakan luahan rasa saya sebagai seorang pencinta fesyen.

Menampilkan rekaan gaun koktel dan malam daripada fabrik sutera sifon, shantung, organza, tafeta dan tulle. Koleksi ini menggabungkan kombinasi elemen garisan, tekstur, draping, ilusi dan demi couture. Koleksi Black Swan ini adalah merupakan interpretasi segar rekaan kontemporari yang anggun, sofistikated, polished & refine."

Faizal Hamid

Demi-couture? Okay, I've never heard of it before. (nampak sangat jauh ketinggalan dalam dunia fesyen)
I've heard a lot about couture before. And I must say that most of our local and international celebrities chose to walk on the red carpet with stunning and glamorous couture dress. What is COUTURE, and what is DEMI-COUTURE?
Let's talk about couture first. :)

COUTURE

***Source from Rizalman Ibrahim's blog***

"Fashion was born there (Europe). Gaya mereka, pereka2 fesyen mereka..semuanya handal2 belaka. kenapa ya?. Pastinya kerana fesyen adalah ruji masyarakat di sana. Fesyen dianggap sungguh sacred, hingga ianya adalah suatu tradisi yang tidak boleh dibuat bahan mainan maupun gurauan. Maka dengan sebab itu, lahirlah dunia 'haute Couture'. Saya pasti ramai yang pernah mendengar perkataan Couture? Ya, kini di malaysia pun perkataan itu memang sudah terang2 digunakan di sana sini. Tapi adakah anda tahu maksudnya??

Couture yang membawa maksud jahitan, adalah satu tradisi pembuatan pakaian mewah yang memang sudah begitu sinonim dengan negara perancis, khususnya Paris. Pembuatannya amat berkualiti dari segi jahitan yang kemas, fabrik yang bermutu, potongan yang flawless serta sudah semestinya rekaan yang dramatik. Walaupun saya ketika belajar tidak didedahkan sangat dengan teknik sebegini, namun dengan inisiatif sendiri, kerap berulang alik ke Paris bagi mendapatkan ilmu teknik pembuatan hanya dengan melalui window dressing beberapa couture house disana. kagum! terpesona serta hormat yang tidak terhingga kepada para couturiernya. Kerajaan Perancis juga mewujudkan satu badan untuk memantau para pereka fesyennya yang bernaung dibawah sebarang label couture bagi menjamin kualiti serta tradisi negaranya. Hebat kan?

Malah dari peringkat institusi fesyen lagi para pelajar sudah didedahkan dengan perkara ini, yang fesyen bukannya suatu bidang gurauan tetapi adalah satu profesyen yang dipandang mulia (jika anda berjaya). Para pengkritik fesyen juga lantang bersuara demi atas alasan bagi menjaga budaya dari pudar menjadi rekaan yang murahan. Setiap pereka disana akan menggigil ketakutan menunggu respon serta berita di dlam suratkhabar smada rekaan mereka dipuji atau dikeji..sehingga Valentino yang sudah bergelar couturier hingga berdekad lamanya tetap akan merasai perasaan seperti itu. Begitulah betapa besarnya suara pengkritik fesyen serta penggunanya yang akan menentukan pasaran bagi setiap musim rekaan. Fashion Week merupakan medan bertarung untuk kekal di dalam bidang ini. Samada anda mampu menjual koleksi kepada gedung2 besar(bagi koleksi pret a porter) ataupun mengumpul pelanggan2 yang mampu membayar ratusan ribu ringgit untuk sehelai gaun(bagi koleksi couture). itu adalah satu pertaruhan. Apatah lagi dunia serta pasaran fesyen didominasikan oleh wanita yag begitu berpengaruh-Anna Wintour (pengarang majalah american Vogue). pengaruh beliau amat besar hingga kesemua pereka akur dengan segala komentar beliau bagi mendapat review yang baik darinya,sekaligus meningkatkan jualan barangan fesyen mereka."

Rizalman Ibrahim

DEMI-COUTURE

And curious what is the definition of demi couture, so I'm asking for a help from my 'knowledge sifoo' - siapa lagi kalau bukan 'Sifoo Google'. ;)
So, this is basically what is exactly demi-couture.

What exactly is demi-couture?

To understand this new term, we have to define the meaning of couture, haute couture, and ready-to-wear or prêt-á-porter first.

“Couture” as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made women's clothing.” It came from the French word, “cousture,” which means “sewing.”

“Haute couture” literally means “high sewing” and its present day definition is “the houses or designers that create exclusive and often trend-setting fashions for women.”

“Ready-to-wear” means off-the rack, ready-made clothes, and prêt-á-porter is a literal translation of ready-to-wear in French.

And “demi” means “half,” so “demi-couture” literally means “half-couture” or if you want a longer meaning, “half-custom-made women’s clothing.”

With that in mind, it makes sense why demi-couture is still classified under ready-to-wear in the fashion business.

The best way to explain demi-couture is to give examples, and New York, which is best known for its ready-to-wear designers, is a great place to find them.

***Source from here***

Demi-couture is emerging as a major development in clothing design, writes Mark Holgate in Vogue's July 2006 issue. What is it and how is it changing careers in fashion?

Holgate defines demi-couture as

"...somewhere between industrially produced designer fashion (the pret-a-porter, or ready-to-wear) and clothes created entirely by hand and after three fittings with a client (the haute couture)."

It's a big deal, and here's why.

Why Demi-couture Clothing Design?
Demi-couture provides an opportunity for clothing designers to begin making more artfully designed and crafted pieces for a larger number of fashion connoisseurs. If you have the money, you'll be able to buy these pieces off the rack--that alone means much more than a single piece will be produced. And what designer wouldn't want to design a $20,000 cashmere coat over a $100 cotton baby-doll dress that's been done a thousand times before?

Clothing Designers Devoted to Demi-couture
Naturally, top designers are the ones most likely to be producing demi-couture. Some of those Holgate listed include Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga, Olivier Theyskens of Rochas, and Alber Elbaz at Lanvin. There are many others, however, with high-profile careers in fashion taking advantage of this new opportunity, which some may surely recognize as an important emerging segment of the fashion market.

***Source from 'Sifoo Google (sorry guys, forgot to copy the link) =( ***

Okay, tata for now.

P/S : Getting life back on track. :)

With Love,
♥ ♥

Fashion Cliff's Notes. Decade by Decade

***Source from ♥ "The Little Black Book of Style" - Nina Gracia... :) ***

If you find yourself at a table full of fashionistas and everyone is dropping names (which hardly ever happens), this should help you get by...

1920s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: the flapper, bobbed hair, higher hemlines, lower waistlines
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ GABRIELLE 'COCO" CHANEL - jersey-knit dresses, two-tone shoes, the LBD.
♥ JEAN LANVIN - complex trimmings, embroideries, and beaded decorations in light, clear, floral colors.
♥ JEAN PATOU - introduced sportswear for women, knitted swimwear, the tennis skirt.
♥ PAUL POIRET - his heyday was pre-1920 (circa 1909 - 1914), when he helped liberate us from the corset and introduced the world to female pantaloons; he designed through the twenties.

1930s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: return to feminity and glamour, backless dresses, nylon hosiery.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ MADELEINE VIONNET - flowing, feminine clothes; created the cowl neck and the halter top.
♥ ELSA SCHIAPARELLI - first to use art in her clothing; also used zippers, shoulder pads, buttons, bright colors (her signature "shocking pink")
♥ MADAME GRES - revolutionary in her intricate draperies and impeccable cuts.

1940s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: day dresses, blouses with bow detailing, military looks.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ CHRISTIAN DIOR - reestablishes Paris as fashion center, revives haute couture, reintroduces glamour with "The New Look" (tight waist, stiff petticoats, billowing skirt), signifies the end of the war.
♥ BONNIE CASHIN - made boots a major fashion accessory.
♥ CLAIRE MCCARDELL - first American sportswear concept for women.

1950s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: high heels, pencil skirt, shape and volume.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA - brought us ballon dresses, tunis dresses, chemise dresses, and the empire line.
♥ GIVENCHY - first "marriage" of a desginer and a movie star (Audrey Hepburn), made the little black dress famous, introduced separates.
♥ CHANEL - returns, bucks "The New Look", introduces the famous braided suit with gold chains, costume jewellery, monogrammed buttons, quilted bags on chains.

1960s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: "mod", fun revolutionary clothes, short skirts, psychedelic prints, wild colors, go-go boots, dresses made of vinyl, paper, cellophane, metal, covered in mirrors, baby-doll dresses.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ PIERRE CARDIN - the first ready-to-wear lines.
♥ MARY QUANT - champions the youth movement, introduces miniskirt, hot pants, launches Twiggy.
♥ YVES SAINT LAURENT - opens fashion house, makes safari chic.
♥ EMILIO PUCCI - psychedelic prints, first clothes for the jet-set.
♥ PACO RABANNE - uses metal, paper, plastic in his designs.
♥ ANDRE COURREGES - father of the mini, uses cutouts, peepholes, sheer tops.
♥ RUDI GERNREIGH - worked with vinyl and plastic, launched the "monokini" (topless bikini)

1970s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: disco, ethnic trend, bell bottoms, miniskirt, platform shoe.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ VIVIENNE WESTWOOD - mother of the punk revolution.
♥ SONIA RYKIEL - makes knitwear fashionable, usesdarkblacks, rhinestone, long boa-like scraves, crocheted hats.
♥ GEOFFREY BEENE - debuted geometry and fashion.
♥ BILL BLASS - puts American style on the map.
♥ ELIO FIORUCCI - glam rock style, bright rubber boots, fake fur, pop art jackets.
♥ CALVIN KLEIN - defines a brand by advertising.
♥ RALPH LAUREN - introduces the first lifestyle brand.
♥ NORMA LAUREN - revolutionizes swimwear with her "pull bikini"
♥ ANNE KLEIN - brings us American women's sportswear.

1980s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: a decade of color, power suits, and the Japanese invasion.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ AZZEDINE ALAIA - sexy and seductive designs with an emphasis on the figure.
♥ JAPANESE INVASION - Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons and Issey Miyake all brought Eastern fashion to the world stage.
♥ DONNA KARAN - brought a feminine approach to the ready-to-wear.
♥ TOMMY HILFIGER - made preppy Americana chic, later adopted by hip-hop.
♥ BILL BLASS - he took American sportswear to its highest level; adored by businesswomen and executives's wives.
♥ PERRY ELLIS - a new wave of American sportswear, used color and natural fibers, elegant variations on the basics.
♥ PRADA - Miuccia Prada, niece of company's founder, began to produce ready-to-wear fashion that mastered "the mix".
♥ CHRISTIAN LACROIX - creates the pouf skirt.
♥ MANOLO BLAHNIK - makes the sho as important as the dress.
♥ JEAN PAUL GAULTIER - took lingerie details and made them fashion (Madonna and the cordet).

1990s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: minimalism, simplicity, and grunge.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ MARC JACOB - brought grunge to the catwalk.
♥ TOM FORD, FOR GUCCI - showed the world how to sell sexy.
♥ GIANNI VERSACE - daringly sexy with a lifestyle to match.
♥ DOLCE & GABBANA - superfeminine clothes for the modern-day Sophia Loren.
♥ ROBERTO CAVALLI - rich hippy designs; used animal prints, feathers, and leather.
♥ THE ANTWEAR SIX - six designer, all graduates of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, brought us the vision of contrasting elements, including: Ann Demeulemeester (mixing of unusual fabrics), Dries Van Noten (mixing classic designs with a highly personalized aspect), Walter Van Peirendonck (mixing violently divergent colors).

2000s

THE TRENDS TO KNOW: the superbrand is born, music moguls as designers, and the handbag becomes all-important.
THE NAMES TO KNOW:
♥ ALBER ELBAZ, FOR LANVIN - brings back femininity and romance with silk, pleated dresses, satin ribbons.
♥ CHLOE - brigns back girly style, vintage-inspired tops, and sexy trousers.
♥ JOHN GALLIANO - master of the dramatic.
♥ KARL LAGERFELD, FOR CHANEL - the reinvention of all of Coco Chanel's classic staples, and created the cult of Coco LV- the birth of the designer handbag.
♥ OSCAR DE LA RENTA - dresses all first ladies (regardless of political party).
♥ ZAC POSEN - clothes that make an entrance.
♥ CHRISTIAN LOUBOUNTIN - Red-soled shoe, darling of A-listers everywhere.

~♥ In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different. ♥~
- COCO CHANEL -

With Love,

Insider Tips & Tricks

*** Copy & Paste from "The Little Black Book of Style" ~ Nina Garcia~ ***

Something to share with you ladies especially for those fashionista out there...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q & A with DOMENICO DOLCE & STEFANO GABBANA on confidence and style.

Q : What is the key to choosing a perfect little black dress?



A : A woman needs to know her body type, how to show off certain areas and hide others...to enhance her figure and embrace her her curves. The little black dress is must - have.

Q : What is the secret to Sicilian style?

A : A secret to Sicilian style is always dressing confident and sexy.

Q : What do you find eternally stylish?

A : Besides the little black dress and stiletto pumps, definitely one's inner style. A woman embraces both herself and her surroundings...she is polished, elegant and sophisticated.

Q : Who is the most stylish woman you know?

A : There is no particular woman, it is the attitude of a woman-how she carries herself, whether on the beach, walking down the street or at a red carpet premiere. She should exude confidence, charisma; the beauty and style will happen on their own.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Personally, I agree that little black dress is a must-have 'item' that every chick/woman must have in their closet. You could mix & match with jeans/legging/ and could even wear just like that. For muslimah, you guys definitely could mix & match with inner/legging... Shoes and handbag? Any color will suit your little black dress. :)

And all of my gorgeous readers, sometimes you doesn't have to 'following the right trend'... most importantly is you have to figure out where you are going, be comfortable in your own skin, and last but not list the confidence to wear what looks good on you regardless of trends.

" Fashion can be bought. Style one must posses." ~Edna Woolman Chase~

P/S : "The Little Black Book of Style" is a good book to read. *wink*

Classic!

With Love,
Juliana Violet~