MONO-CHROME DRESSING
Multi-shade colour- blocking: gone! From New York to Paris, the catwalks exploded with hues. The only rule? Pick one at a time.
POWER FLOWERS
Blossoms are perennial on spring runways, but it's a fashion cultivator's thrill to discover the newest twist. This year- led by Raf Simons' painterly metallic roses at Christian Dior, Dries Van Noten's 3-D petals evoking Mexican paper flowers, and Prada's outlined anemones and mums-they were torn between sentimental and futuristic, tender and stern. We feel so understood!
BIG IN JAPAN
The land of cherry blossoms, geishas and samurais (not to mention Godzilla and other monsters born of the urban underground) was a source of vibrant inspiration. Exhibit A: Prada's Japonisme collection, throughlined with kimono tailoring and footwear that incorporated tabi socks into the shoe. Meanwhile, obi belts, bell sleeves and Asian prints sashayed. More obliquely, Céline's knots and twists were smartly origami.
THE FRESH CROP
Trends that reapportion the body change not only how we dress, but also how we look on a more basic level. Thus, they are often the hardest to understand and take the longest to catch on, yet come off as the most innovative. This spring, slim skirts dropped under the knee and above the ankle and, in Marc Jacobs' suits, sat low on the hips. Tops, on the other hand, fell short in the trunk with either long, slim sleeves or boxy wide ones (or none, in the case of mini capes). In the new fashion democracy, you can wear cropped tops over a long waist or a short waist, and calf-glancing skirts with a micro-top or a hip-grazer. In short (and long) don't worry too much, it's another chance to play!
PALETTE CLEANSER
This spring, all of you all-black dependents have a chance to stretch just the right amount- to black and white. Graphic grids, striking appliqué and bold stripes abounded, and suddenly safe is intrepid. It's uncomplicated but yields major, figure-flattering results. Checkmate
PRINTED IRL
Photorealism ruled as the Möbius strip of cyber world and real world looped through fashion once again. A proportionally accurate nude flashed on a shift at Lanvin; Mary Katrantzou impressed stamps into her collection; and picture-rich Tumblr led to Proenza Schouler's found photo-blocked frocks. It's a new genre of wearable art: wearable photography.
RUFF LOVE
A little extra fabric added to skirts, sleeves and necklines in the form of a ruffle creates such drama and motion. Designers celebrated a woman who isn't afraid of flipping off the crowd as she exits. Interestingly, these frills, usually thought to be such a girly ornamentation, were voluminous yet minimalist, signifying feminine strength rather than frippery.
DAY GLITTER
They can put the girl in a sexless cube, but she'll make sure it's still a girl in there! From sequins to crystals to straight-up shine, our office wear is claiming its share of the spotlight. While the silhou- ettes remained the same, the extravagant add- ons were an unexpected year-end bonus.
NEVERMIND NEO-GRUNGE
Who doesn't want to remember the now almost innocent days when Kurt and Courtney were first an item? Particularly when made haute with organza plaid, parachute skirts and ironic (how quaint!) slo- gans on well-cut T-shirts. There were even grey wigs inspired by Cobain's signature stringy do at Theyskens' Theory.
SLICES OF LIFE
Garments played a tricky game when it came to skin exposure, with transparent strips and overlays through which only slivers of flesh peeked through. Glimpses of underpinnings through gauzy skirts are divinely Robbe-Grillet La Jalousie!
More from FLARE:
- Spring 2013 fashion show roundup
- Miranda Kerr lands Mango Spring campaign
- 27 Spring dresses
- Top 10 trends: Toronto Fashion Week Spring 2013
- Street style trends: Spring 2013
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