A/W 2012 Trends

Oriental- Designed for women who are inspired by Asia and enjoy bright colours and large bold prints. Garments include kimono collars and luxury silk fabrics. Collections give a traditional feel with a modern twist. Key designers for this trend include:
*Peter Pilotto
*Carven
*Zac Posen
*Valentino
*Driesvan Notten
*Proenza Schouler
*Hermes

Gothic chick- Designers use significant religious iconography on clothes and accessories. Main fabrics used include leather, lace, fur and feathers. Key designers for this trend include:
*Dolce and Gabanna
*Chanel
*Valentino
*Vanessa Bruno
*Givenchy
*Prabal Gurung
*Jean Paul Gaultier
*Gareth Pugh
*Gucci
*Alexander Wang

Trousers- Are going to be really popular in Autumn/ Winter 2012. Trousers will be colourful, quirky, printed and will fall on the hip. Trousers will also often be cropped and made to match blazers/ Jackets to create a modern day women's suit. Trousers will also be made from fabrics such as wool, cotton and silks. Key designers for this trend include:
*

Psychedelic fur- Will create a bright atmosphere for the dark winter days. Furs being dyed from colours such as reds to purples, which will make the whole outfit stand out. The fur will also create an important texture foe the Autumn/ Winter 2012 silhouettes. Key designers for this trend include:
*Lanvin
*DKNY
*Moschino cheap + chic
*Tom Ford
*Sonia Rykiel
*Blumarine
*Fendi

Country glamour- Ralph Lauren in particular have bought back a rather aristocracy feel to they're A/W 2012 collection. collections are giving a rather sporty feel to the country glamour theme by the cut of clothing and fabrics such as tweed. Most collections for this trend are rather masculine with the important use of layering fabrics. Key designers for this trend include:
*Tommy Hilfiger
*Dakes
*McQ
*Vivienne Westwood
*Ralph Lauren collection


Waist line- The 1950's trend is evolving fast for the A/W 2012 collections. Many garments are padded at the waist and contain an incredible amount of volume also at the hip. But one thing all of these garments have in common regardless of the style of clothing (dresses, skirts, Jackets etc) all garments are neatly tucked in at the waist. Creating an hour glass effect and a silhouette similar to ladies who wore corsets back in the 1910's. This trend is extremely glamorous and very lady like. Also very flattering for women. Key designers for this trend include:
*Chloe
*Marni
*Stella McCartney
*Fendi
*Alberta Ferreti
*Versace

Pleated skirts for S/S and A/W 2012

Pleated Skirts 

Seeing as the Olympics are arriving in London this year, many S/S collections for 2012 have a rather sporty feel to them such as the pleated skirt trend. With possible inspirations from tennis skirts evolving very fast in the fashion world, this trend has become extremely varied with pleated skirts and dresses. Pleats can be varied by shape, style and size. Bigger pleats often giving a more formal feel as seen on Kate Middleton in both her pink dress and red Alexander McQueen pleated dresses. Smaller pleats often give a  more casual appearance in cotton and sheer fabrics. Personally I feel this trend will become even bigger and more pleats will be seen on the top half of dresses also. 

1950's trends for S/S 2012

1950's trends S/S 2012

After the Queens Diamond jubilee, people have been looking back over the last 60 years since the Queens coronation in 1952. Unsurprisingly certain 1950's trends have come back stronger than ever, such as full skirts, fitted bodices and Capri pants. As you can see by the mood board designers such as Dior Haute couture S/S 2012 (Red, Grey and black dresses above) and Gucci S/S 2012 (photo under 1950's title) have a really strong 1950's feel throughout their collections. Not only through their clothes but stylists are mixing the designs with red lipsticks and sleek, waved hair. This 1950's trend can also be seen in women's suit's and jacket's which suggests this trend may last until the end of Autumn/ Winter 2012.

The Great Gatsby trend S/S 2012

The Great Gatsby is due to be released toward the end of December with much waited anticipation. Many fashion trends for Spring/ Summer this year have been inspired by the Great Gatsby hype including designers such as Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Chanel, Roberto Cavalli and certain silhouettes from Valentino. All designers producing extremely dramatic and glamorous garments. Although many inspirations have come from 1920's many dresses and trousers have become more subtle with a lower waist line than 2011 and much more feminine that fashion from the 1920's.

This trend has become a macro trend and will probably last for another year or so, possibly becoming more subtle through each season. You can see the trend through the silhouettes of garments and the beading and sheer fabrics used especially by Ralph Lauren.

Above is a mood board to created to give a feel for colour's texture and designs for Spring/ Summer 2012. Personally I feel this trend will grow even bigger for Autumn/ Winter for Christmas party's and New Year. Similar trends can be found on the high street in stores such as French Connection, Topshop and River Island.

Here are some silhouette shapes for garments for both S/S 2012 and A/W 2012. Garments are full length and flowing with a Grecian feel. Whilst other garments are mid length and layered with feather like textures. Garments for the Summer often have little detail other than beading or feathered fabric. Ralph Lauren is a good example of this, with their sleek silk dresses.

Ralph Lauren

Roberto Cavalli

I love how shiny Roberto Cavalli's S/S 2012 collection is and how most garments are created in a sheer see through fabric, leaving the main focus on the beading and sequins. Not only does the colour scheme work for this trend but also the pattern on the dresses are very Art Deco.

Gucci

Gucci's S/S 2012 collection is another great example of Art Deco patterns in gold, also contrasting against a bold black background. The use of fringing at the bottom of the dress really gives this dress in particular a roaring twenties vibe. 

S/S trends for 2012

Radical Neutrality

This trend was described as fairly minimalistic, with a calm colour palette with attention to fabric detail. Many garments shown on the catwalk were collarless yet still fairly traditional. There were minimal fastenings to the sheer fabrics used. Shoulders were domed and rounded. There was also a rather sporty feel to the radical neutrality trend.
Garments such as sweater dresses, tank t-shirts, leggings and mid length skirts were shown on the catwalk. This trend really focuses on texture of the fabric. Collections often included heavy weaves, rips, and wool. This trend also proved that volume was bigger than before with many over sized key pieces however accessories were often kept simple. Issey Miyake, Comme des Garcon and Yohji Yamamoto were often mentioned throughout the trend seminar due to the fact that many of their S/S and A/W collections for 2012 included garments that connected to the Radical neutrality trend.

Hyper Culture

The second macro trend discussed in WGSN seminar was hyper culture. This trend was described as “a cultural clash.” The trend included solid bright colours and often many clashing prints. The trend proved an evolution of colour; the bold colours were often teamed with core classics. Patterns included shattered mosaics and an explosion in sequins that shone dramatically on the catwalk. Although sequins have been seen through out the last few seasons it appears they have been pushed to a new level.
The actual garments themselves were often minimalistic with simple shapes and cut. Polka dots were also often showcased in tops, dresses and tights with a high energy. A reason this trend has become so popular is because these garments can be teamed with black basic garments.
Accessories were also often very shiny and metallic, yet still small and minimal. Many garments shown included lace panels to create more texture and lace was often layered with other fabrics to appear like a printed fabric.

Eco Hedonism

This last macro trend was extremely dramatic, especially in comparison to the other two trends. The trend was edgy with a lot of garments displayed in heavy tweeds. This trend uses many soft natural and pastel colours as the main focus is on the fabric and textures used. In contrast to the pastels many garments were also created in a metallic fabric with the high use of embellishment to add extra layers.
The trend is very organic and fresh. Some garments displayed a sophisticated pattern also with the use of fur. However furs have mainly been used on formal and traditional garments such as coats and jackets.
Shapes of the garments were consistently angular and naturally formed, with long flowing skirts added with a feathered finish. Party wear has been pushed to a new territory with dramatic styling but with texture playing a pivotal role. This all helped create the maximum movement from all garments displayed.
Accessories were also very organic and natural; materials had been manipulated and sculptured. Many necklaces and handbags were made from natural sources such as wood or shells.
Personally I also feel this trend was rather 20’s inspired with the use of fringing in many garments and art deco inspired heavy embellishment.