TREND REPORTING

Don’t be shy to experiment Any  colour combination is good if you can pull it off properly. Blue green and orange work well together. Do not combine more than three or four colours, too many colours divide the body disportionally.  Do choose what you want to colour block and keep the rest of your look simple. Do choose colour blocked bag but go easy on the clothes and shoes. Add texture through fabric choices. Do add orange and hot pink to neutrals to give your outfit an instant pop. Don’t forget make up,a strong colourwash on eyes,bright lipstick or vibrant nails can really make an outfit pop

 

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COLOUR  BLOCKING

The concept of clashing colours is nothing new, so what is colour blocking.  Colour blocking is combining different colours that support and compliment each other in one outfit.

Colour blocking originated in London’s swinging sixties, Mary Quant designed coloured blocked mini skirts and dresses worn by mods, socialite Edie Sedgwick and top model Twiggy.  In the seventies colour blocking could be found at Studio 54 with disco styles, and in the eighties with Mondrian jumpers.

In 2009 US Vogue gave colour blocking a big push when they televised their September issue,

But it took a while to go mainstream, the use of primary colours red,  blue, green and yellow in large blocks have been gaining momentum in the last couple of years, who can forget  Prada’s striped dress that made its way onto celebrity backs. Designers have embraced the idea of a more free form abstract when using colour, Marc Jacobs played with stripes and smaller blocks for a more interesting distribution of colour.

The use of  a neon pop of colour is something we all need during cold winter months and in times of austerity, so after a season of neutrals and nudes  its great to see celebrities like Rihanna, Jlo and Leona Lewis making colour blocking popular.

Spring 2012 runways were more colourful than a Lady Gaga concert, from Missoni to DVF, every colour imaginable rich jewel tones to neon pinks and orange.   My-wardrobe.com buying director Luisa de Paula says “wear bright tights with a pared down dress”.

Raf Simmons at Jil Sander described his collection as “a mille feuille of colour” his punchy hues were worn in colour blocks like a green jacket, pink tank, yellow trousers.

Now that colour blocking has made its way onto the high street with shops like Debenhams, Forever 21 and Zara do not to be afraid choose the right combination, think clashing not matching, the more mismatched the better, mix hot pink, tangerine, lemon, yellow, jungle green , cobalt blue for maximum impact.

Colour blocking is not for wall flowers or the faint hearted.  One way of introducing colour blocking into your wardrobe whilst keeping hold of the purse strings is to add colourful accessories or dress in a selected shade.

Wake up favourite black pieces with colour.  Team clashing top and blazer to contrast with jeans.  Contrast shoes to a bright dress.  Draw attention to your best assets with the use of colour.

For colour enthusiasts its seem like colour blocking will be with us for a few seasons, its time to welcome one of fashions  biggest,  boldest and loudest trends, with electric colours, graphic prints, there’s no room for modesty its time to stand out from the crowd.  

FASHION MOMENT ; PEPLUMS

Sporty printed peplum at Vera Wang S/S ‘12

My fascination with ruffles started as a fashion student, inspired by the concertina neck ruffs of the Elizabethans, as I sketched the intricate frill of Queen Elizabeth I, Circa 1583 I try to think of a way of incorporating some of it into my designs.  I am transported to another golden age in history 1947 The New Look by Dior which consisted of a short ruffle attached to a waistline, dress, skirt or jacket called a peplum.  After the austerity of  World War II years Dior’s peplumed new look heralded a feeling of hope and optimism and better things to come.

The last prominence of peplums came during the 80’s accompanied by big shouldered designs of Yves Saint Laurent and Thierry Muggler.  The 80’s television audience were treated to the peplum craze in prime time soap operas like Dallas, Dynasty and Falcon Crest.

The current revival can be traced back to Jil Sanders 2011 women’s collection and the catwalk of Givenchy  as the main protagonists of showing peplums closely followed by, Celine, Dries Van Noten and Vera Wang, who all showed peplums worn with shorts for spring 2012.  “A peplum is a play on proportion to make the waist look smaller”  said Vera Wang.

Peplums have since been seen worn by the Kate Duchess of Cambridge for official Royal engagements, by Jennifer Anniston on the Red Carpet and Charlize Theron who wore a fitted red peplum dress to present an award at the MTV Movie Awards.

The whole point of the peplum is that it celebrates the waist to hip curve. The classic Dior peplum of 47 was at its most elegant when worn with a pencil skirt, but the hourglass glory can look a bit retro.  Wearing your peplum with shorts or slim legged trousers will immediately modernise the look.

Although the peplum will not make us  look our thinnest be brave as the peplum is about celebrating feminine curves. A fitted peplum will show off an hourglass figure and a flared one will add curves to hips, a perfect choice for boy shaped bodies.

Peplum Top

Transforms a simple jacket by adding drama

Peplum Bottom

A pencil frill will add a feminine touch to a sleek silhouette

Peplum Dress

An adorned dress will look good for the cocktail hour or a long peplum for draping is an elegant look.  A shorter peplum would work well for a younger perkier look.

High street stores like Zara, Dorothy Perkins and Topshop have invested heavily in the peplum. H & M have increased its number of peplum tops for spring “its so on trend” said their chief buyer.

The peplum trend shows no sign of abating as a number of designers have recently showed peplum styles for Autumn/Winter 2012 including coats.  Zac Posen, Jason Wu, Tory Birch.

So be brave and accentuate your womanly curves and you to could look curvaceous in seconds by wearing a peplum. Meanwhile I’m off to Zara and Dorothy Perkins to find peplum tops for my denim shorts at weekends and my black slim leg pants for weekdays in the office.

Maria Henry

11/06/2012