Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: The Print Suit

If there’s one fall trend we’d have to put our money on it would be the printed suit. Followed by the many printed and pajama looks of last season (designed by Marni and Dries van Noten a.o.) the print suit is now picked up by a large group of designers. It’s hard to miss this trend, since the biggest fashion houses (Miu Miu, Marni, Aquilano & Rimondi, Rochas, Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton) are joining in.

Both prints and colors have become slightly more seventies, since last year. Besides, we now see multiple versions of the suit (skirt + jacket, pants + Tee or sleeveless top). One thing is certain it’s a multi functional trend you can easily make your own.

Opt for graphics, florals or other nature inspired prints. Wear the top and bottom separately if you like, add a funky hat or belt your jacket for some extra femininity.

The number of styling possibilities is endless and you’ll always look chic.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Statement Patent (Leather)

I remember wearing those adorable patent leather shoes as a child. Probably the last time I saw patent leather really being in fashion. But, as with every fashion trend, the patent leather look just had to make a comeback and for fall it’s all over the place.

Your best patent investment probably is a leather coat. To be really on trend make sure you opt for a colored one, like we saw on the runway at Marni, Alexander Wang and Tommy Hilfiger. Is this a little too much patent leather to handle? Choose for smaller fashion pieces, like a pair of pants or some shiny boots (Viktor & Rolf, Lie Sang Bong). Or try to find fashion items that are only made out of patent parts. We’ve added some less shiny looks in the mix as well, although they look like they don’t really belong to the ‘patent’ category.

One extra reason to go for patent leather is the water resistant aspect of it, which can come in quite handy during our Dutch fall (rain) season….

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Oversized Coats

Larger than life; that’s what your winter coat should be upcoming season. Designers like Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander, Max Mara and Chloé have created large volume coats out of stiff structured fabrics.

The coats do look beautiful on their own. Yet creating any kind of feminine shape for yourself, that’s the challenge. Therefore cigarette pants seem a good match and a waist belt might just become your favorite fall accessory.

Which ever way you wear your oversized coat; you’ll definitely make a fashion statement.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: East meets West

With markets in the East still growing many designers wisely looked to the far East for inspiration. Once more they were inspired by the oriental prints, the hand techniques and the lively colors. And we couldn’t blame them! The far east has so much to offer it’s like a never ending source of inspiration.

Silky fabrics done in shades of black, red and gold (Temperley London, Dries van Noten, Peter Pilotto) created the ultimate Eastern feeling. As kimono sleeves (Zac Posen) and asymmetrical cross over tops (Proenza Schouler), obi belts and small platform shoes stressed to the oriental style.

Some designers went all the way and even adjusted their models’ hair and make up to the Eastern style. But it’s when you mix it with Western urban influences that the East really can make a statement.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Mixing Materials (Shoes)

We’ve already spotted this trend in the clothing section before, but now shoes too are made out of more than one material. Designers have been mixing and matching leathers, metallics, plastics and furs to create the most eye catching footwear.

A metallic heal or pointed nose (as seen at Marni, Byblos Louis Vuitton and Just Cavalli) seems the ultimate trend (started by Louis Vuitton for Spring/Summer 2012). But why not add a touch of lace (Anna Sui), fur (Iceberg), transparent plastic (Chanel) and sparkling crystals to the mix of leathers?

It makes it easier to match your wardrobe to your shoes and a fashion faux pad will be less evident.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Modern Nomads

Modern Nomads strutted their stuff on the runways of Asish, Custo, Galliano, Donna Karan and Vivienne Westwood. Dressed in colourful layered ensembles they made quite a cheerful impression. Yet models also looked careless and relaxed, mostly walking with their hands in their pockets.

They wore asymmetrical looks made out of blanket-like fabrics wrapped around their bodies. Their face were covered by scarves, hats or large collars. At Asish they sported the brightest printed pieces, yet Issey Miyake, Band of Outsiders and Marc Jacobs weren’t afraid to add a some color either.

No clear rules for this trend. As long as you just toss a piece of garment around your body (and face) you can walk along with the nomad parade. Let’s just hope it won’t be that cold of a winter that it will be necessary to cover up that much.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Military Inspired

Since girls love to look like they can run the world; strong military looks are a trend every few seasons. This year labels like Victoria Beckham, Gucci, MaxMara and Salvatore Ferragamo took the army theme to a new level.

They kept their ladylike silhouettes, yet added military accents like epaulets, large buttons and breast pockets. They opted for military shades too; army green, black, navy and mustard making up the perfect military color palette.

Subtle details added some the extra feminine factor, like red lips and a double waist belt (Victoria Beckham), colored nails and tiny jewelry (Salvatore Ferragamo) and a fluffy clutch (Moschino Cheap & Chic).

Going through these images we’re already craving for one of those statement jackets.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Lace it up

Last season it was all about the bondage theme. This year only the bondage boots have stayed. Shiny, leather lace up boots are an unexpected trend for fall.

Now you might never want to take it to the Versus level (all the way to the hips), but there’s nothing wrong with a little lace up.

Custo created a fringed boot, the models at Dolce & Gabbana sported some patent leather versions, Donna Karan’s were red croc printed, Karl designed hairy ones for Fendi and Nina Ricci left out the laces.

So more than enough options to choose from and remember you don’t need to look like a SM fanatic; you can style them any way you like.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Blooming Winter Florals

Not fun and flirty like in summer, but gorgeous and luxurious is the feeling we got from the floral prints on this year’s fall collection. Especially Dolce & Gabbana’s embroidered winter florals (on the skirts, tops, bags and in the models’hair) looked mesmerizing. Yet Erdem, Christopher Kane and Peter Pilotto stunningly put the catwalk in bloom as well.

McQ attached fabric flowers to a black lace dress as Marni created one of it’s signature printed suits with golden flowers. Antonio Marras and Preen opted for autumn shades as the rest took the theme a little darker.

Whether eastern-inspired, tropical or pure fantasy; every single flower put a smile on our faces. Winter in bloom, we like!

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Hat Factor

Every single season hats pop up during the collection presentations. Yet we can’t remember having seen hats as big as they were for fall/winter 2012/2013. Marc Jacobs clearly seems to have had some kind of hat obsession during his designing process. In every single one of his collections (Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs) there was a hat-overkill.

Models stepping of the Louis Vuitton train wore colored felt versions as the young girls at  Marc Jacobs sported the most hideous (if we may say so) colored fur examples. They might never be worn by a living soul again, yet they made up for a nice show gimmick.

More modest hats that will in fact generate sales are the ones designed by Max Mara, Donna Karan, Roberto Cavalli and Burberry. We did not recognize any particular hat trend, but hats definitely add that wow-factor to any fall look.

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