2012 Spring/Summer Trends

Business in the Back, Party in the Front

 My newest purchase and favorite fashion trend of the moment is the high low hem. There is something sexy about this peekaboo look. The high low hem adds drama to any everyday outfit and is the perfect piece to spice up a dull wardrobe. You can find it on tops, skirts, and even dresses. There is no denying that everyone needs a little added oomph in their wardrobe and walking in a high low hem gives you just that.

 Rosie Huntington- Whiteley in Antonio Barardi

 Skirt by Allude S/S 2013

If you are a little nervous to try out this trend you can buy this skirt at forever 21 for under 20 bucks and try it out for a day. 

 Forever 21

Go Big or Go Home

The big floppy hat is ready to join us for summer time, and I can’t wait. There is something elegant and exotic about a woman in a big summer hat and shades. These hats are perfect for making a statement and the bigger the better. The trick to this look is to make it look effortless. Throw it on with last years bohemian dress and you have a completely new look for summer 2012. 

 (My favorite combination of a floppy hat and high low skirt!)

Risky Business

 

Another one of my favorite trends is the collar necklace. It’s delicate and sophisticated drawing the eye to your neck as the focal point. It can really snazz up a plain white button up, and turn you into a modern fashionista. This is a simple trend you can do with any chunky necklace you find in your jewelry box. Or maybe it could be a DIY inspiration project to spice up your everyday button up.

http://arabellag.blogspot.com/2011/09/python-love.html

http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2012/01/metal-collar-necklace-and-a-diy-attempt.html

http://www.whowhatwear.com/blog/2012/01/street-style-statement-necklaces/statement-necklace-stockholm-street-style-multicolor-beads-fashion-week-zara-heels-floral-print-a-line-full-skirt-celine-clutch-button-up-white-shirt/

What is happening in my studio these days...

These past few weeks I've been working on a futuristic piece inspired by Cubism. I was really drawn into the geometry and using extreme shapes in my designs. I looked a lot towards Sonia Delaunay's designs in the 1920's and I loved her use of color but I also wanted to make it more futuristic or almost space like. So I began with this preliminary sketch:

And finally ended up with this design:

I really love the direction I'm headed with this piece. It's different from my normal aesthetic and I've enjoyed pushing the boundaries of what I'm used to doing. The catch is that the piecing is taking way longer than I expected. On the middle of the jacket I have 4 triangle pieces on the front and 4 on the back. Because of the layers of fashion fabric, fusing, batting, and facing those 4 finished pieces are actually 40 pieces! And that's just the middle detail. 

The sleeves are also complicated with several layers, but I'm loving how its turned out. They are very stiff and have great structure so that they stick out from the body and create the silhouette I'm looking for. They almost look like Lady Gaga sleeves.

And finally this is where I am right now, about to sew all the piecing of the shell together. So far so good, the zipper went in a lo easier than expected and for the first time ever I've done all I can and I'm happy with how it turned out!

It's done from preliminary sketch to final space suit!

Stories and Themes 2012

 

Spring/Summer 2012 is all about Geometrics.

 Designers such as Mal Amiee, and Mara Hoffman create unusual style lines tracing shape after shape of bright colors and patterns. The color story for Spring/Summer 2012 is all about deep bluish green, sunny yellow, tickle me pink, periwinkle, and bright orange. I was inspired by the unusual shape of the Hugues Klein, red pod chair, as well as Cantao's wooden stack bracelets. For spring the mini dress is always in style, but Lorena Sarbu reinvents the typical mini made entirely of pieced geometric shapes in a breath taking periwinkle blue. Obviously the bikini is the likely choice for summer, but be sure to pick one Mara Hoffman's brightly colored high rise bottoms. You could mix and match with any color or pattern for a chic, easy style. 

Lady Blues is brightening up this Fall/Winter 2012. 

 Every hue and gradient of lady like blue will be seen this Fall/Winter season. The color story for Fall/Winter 2012 is filled with colors like robin's egg, deep sea, bright blue, turquoise, and baby blue. I was excited by this Anthropologie gradient love seat, and its Victorian style framing. Peep toed booties are an excellent accessory to your collared sheath dress as well as over sized fedoras and bows. Accessories like small velvet carrying bags will be the finishing touch on your outfit. Wool, velvet, and silk are what this winter is all about, so don't be afraid to mix textures in an outfit. 

Would you wear a Mara Hoffman geometric bikini with wooden stacked bracelets to the beach this summer? Or maybe an unusual bright colored mini dress to a garden party?

Or are you more interested in stepping out in a subtly sexy bright blue sheath dress and velvet peep toe booties? Too refined? Maybe you're more interested in spunky accessories like an over sized fedora and baby blue tights? 

I would love to hear your opinion, just drop me a comment.

Fashion for 2012

I believe the biggest influence on fashion for 2012 will be the threat of an apocalypse. Because of our obsession with the end of the Mayan calendar on December 21st, I think we will see trends of a post apocalyptic look. 

 

Thinking about an apocalypse I think the style will become more about utilizing our clothes as protection. The colors and textures will mimic a now nomadic earth. Gray, tan, peach, orange red, gold, ivory, brown. We will see lots of accessories that add texture like fur, feathers, and natural stones.

It’s a nomadic look of layers, textures and expressive details that will dominate 2012.

 

sewintoart.tumblr.com

http://bienenkiste.tumblr.com/post/1175714828/megustascuandocallas#notes

http://saakaldt-foto.tumblr.com

http://tumblr.poptech.org

finefettleguide.blogspot.com

http://fashiongonerogue.com/model/caroline-trentini/page/3/

http://www.fashionlifecoach.com/forecast/geisha-girl/

filepmotwary.com

Trendspotting

This week I did some trend spotting on campus or more like trend stalking. I saw a lot of interesting outfits and clothing combinations. Besides the usual ratty jeans, t shirts, and Nike shorts, I spotted some fun trends. 

I saw several thick warm sweaters to accent fun prints and florals. Sweaters with wooden, and metal unique buttons. Sweaters ribbed, fuzzy, and even sequined. I like this neutral brown with a sweet little collar.

I saw  70's inspired silhouettes and color combinations. I'm personally really into bringing some of the 70's back. This almost looks like a possible Missoni vintage piece.( I love this forest green belt, and red socks.)

I spotted several grandma sweater with tight wearers. I'm wondering if this trend will die out because although its extremely comfortable, its very Denton.This trend setter also had some really cute black booties on to set off her sweater.

I've also spotted this unisex trend of doing what I call "Jeans in Sneaks". This is when you scrunch your jeans into your open tongued sneakers. I see it more in men's wear but that doesn't stop the ladies from joining in either. I like the style. It gives off a cool relaxed fashion vibe. I might just try it.

There is no denying the overwhelming power of the leather backpack. It is all over campus accompanying anything from combat boots, to floor length maxi dresses. I'm a huge fan of the leather backpack. It's classic, chic, and gets straight to the point. That's my kind of accessory.

Now that it's starting to get closer and closer to Spring, I've seen lots of prints being mixed back into everyone's wardrobe. From florals to geometrics, from minis to floor length, you name it we've got it. Mostly paired with leggings or patterned tights. I really like mixing patterns and think there is always a time and place to wear some patterned tights with a floral mini. It creates depth and contrast in an unexpected way.

Another dominating trend is the chunky infinity scarf. It is not only seen with heavy jackets in the winter but paired with t shirts in between seasons to give a thrown together yet, chic style. I personally think chunky scarves are a great accessory to spice up any regular outfit.

Bright colors have made their way into the jacket world. You can't go far on campus without spotting a bright colored jacket from across campus. It's nice to see something besides the usual black, brown, and white seasonal apparel. I'm loving this bright blue double breasted pea coat and the printed scarf.

All of these trends you can find going on in the fashion world:

References:

 

http://coolspotters.com/clothing/new-look-chunky-knitted-cardigan

https://shop.marketpublique.com/item.php?id=10435

http://www.mystylepill.com/2011/12/christmas-sweater/

http://www.upscalehype.com/2010/02/joe-jonas-in-nike-blazer-vintage-sneakers-and-nudie-jeans/

http://newsodrome.com/celebrity_news/splurge-rihanna-s-red-quilted-chanel-backpack-19713903

http://vanessajackman.blogspot.com/2011/11/paris-fashion-week-ss-2012frida-and-fei.html

http://www.thefashionspot.com/style-trends/news/109268-look-of-the-moment-chunky-knitted-scarf

http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2011/09/rain-check-the-drizzly-day-jac.html

What inspires me...

Looking at my inspirations as a whole, I feel like I'm inspired by a whimsical, romantic and yet chic, kind of style. A woman who isn't afraid to be feminine and daring at the same time. I want my designs to depict a confident woman who likes to be gentle but strong. I'm inspired by designers like Chloe, Celine, Phil Lim, Christian Dior, and past decades of style. I love the 1930's, 1950's, and 1960's and get inspired by those silhouettes and style lines.

But mainly I feel like I'm most inspired by the little details around me. I get inspired by something small like the shape of a flower, the lines of a painting, or trim on a pillow. As of right now I've been inspired by "sweet" silhouettes and dainty details like bows and sheer lace necklines. 

Here's a few things I'm obsessed with at the moment:

Christian Dior Spring 2012

Chloe Spring 2012

                                                         

 Oxfords

Lace                                                  

Bows

Mad Men                             

Backless dresses

Leather Gloves                                    

1960's                                                

Caftan

Jade necklaces                                          

Nancy Drew

unexpected collars                                 

Turquoise

hanging lanterns in Istanbul