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.