Spring 2012 Trends From the New York, London, Milan and Paris Runways
Each fashion season the top designers from New York, London, Milan and Paris showcase their designs and a lot of them share common themes, also known as trends. Several trends can exist within a single season and spring 2012 is no exception. Different trends showed up at each fashion week. However, a few were trendy enough to make a strong appearance in at least two of the fashion weeks. Check out the trends that were seen on the major spring 2012 runways.
The Domestic Mid 1950s to Mid 1960s
The domestic era of the mid 1950s to mid 1960s was a huge trend in Milan and Paris. This is fashion so this decade was merely influential. While the dress of that era was conservative the new take on the domesticated look for spring 2012 is anything but. My favorite take on this era was found during Milan fashion week from the dynamic duo of Dolce & Gabbana. Ensembles from Dolce & Gabbana's show displayed the Italy of the 1950s celebrating the vibrancy of the culture with healthy prints featuring zucchini, eggplant and various other tasty veggies in the classic 1950s silhouette. The collection had the classic 50s housewife style of dress with the semi-fitted bodice attached to the full, midi-length skirt. The collection even paid a small homage to Coco Chanel. Check out the slideshow for this mid 1950s to mid 1960s collection at Women's Wear Daily.
Spring 2012's Athletic Appeal
New York, London and Milan showed a fondness for the athletic look on the spring 2012 runways. Colorblocking details of bright contrasting colors, athletic fabrics and a relaxed silhouette marked the look for collections by BCBG MAX AZRIA, Peter Pilotto and Versus. Don't mistake the athletic vibe present on the runway for a tomboyish look. The athletic trend for spring 2012 is very sexy, edgy and all woman.
Spring 2012 Color Trends
To the naked eye, it may seem as though spring 2012's color trend was the rainbow. Most of the colors in the rainbow and beyond do end up on the runway every season. However, there are always certain colors and color combinations that show up in virtually every show. Three palettes played dominate roles throughout all four weeks and ironically all showed up in the Monique Lhuillier show:
Black/White - No shades of grey here, just the simplicity of the contrast black and white play off each other.
Blue - Mainly cobalt and royal blues mixed with bright greens, pinks and stark whites.
Yellow - This sunny palette includes golden sunshine hues of orange and hot reds along with shades of lemon and canary yellows.
Hot Print Trends for Spring 2012
The print trends of spring 2012 are a throwback to the print trends from resort 2012, this fall and last spring. The rainbow stripe trend from resort 2012 migrated over to the spring shows. Colorblocking appears to be a huge trend for the second season in a row; seen everything from body conscious garments to athletic-inspired designs. For the second spring season in a row, graphic prints (particularly tribal influenced prints) were seen heavily in New York and Milan -- think the Alberta Ferretti spring 2012 collection.
Sheer, Lacy Sexiness for Spring 2012
Sheer is the favorite texture of designers, especially for spring. For spring 2012, Sheer textures play a game of peek-a-boo through solid swatches of fabrics via appliqué, cut outs and burn outs. David Koma's spring collection featured laser precision with sheer cut outs in tribal designs. Lace is big for spring 2012 after being the sleeper trend of fall. Valentino departed from the sexiness lace took on in fall for a more demure and docile femininity that seems sexy by accident even when the lace comes in the sensual hues of black and red.
These trends were prominent on the spring 2012 runways. While these trends were seen often on the runway, there is no guarantee all or any of them will be the hot trends of the spring season once it begins. Retailers will decide which trends will hit stores. So keep your eyes peeled when the first spring pre-season looks hit retailer's racks near the end of December to see which trends remained hits and which ones fizzled.
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Published by ShawnTe Pierce - Featured Contributor in Beauty and Lifestyle
ShawnTe Pierce is a freelance fashion designer, writer and editor with over a decade of professional experience in fashion, beauty, finance and Christian Studies. With a Bachelor's of Science in Apparel... View profile
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