Fashion Trends

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute states that "fall is traditionally a time for subdued, quiet colors, but this season we are seeing a shift toward cool hues with bright, exciting undertones".

Fall 2008 fashion shows have already begun and in this crazy and wonderful spin from rtw to resort to couture and again to ready-to-wear I took a peak at the pre-fall shows that ended just two weeks ago. If these pre-shows are meant to predict next season's trends, well, I have to say it looks like we'll have a smart sophisticated fall season, with structured silhouettes and muted metallic shades or rich, autumn floral hues. 'Seasonless clothes' says Michael Kors, great next vintage buys, I'd add.

Here is a list of my pre-fall faves.

I love these cropped jackets at Akris and the cream beige - soft gray color combination.

Akris pre-fall 2008

Here are the main trends of spring 2008 season highlighted by Vogue Deutsch, in this month's issue.

1. Chromatic: this spring we will be seeing neon shades again, beautiful red and blue hues but also calm pastels. It is time for delicate nude shades used as neutrals, along with monochromatic white&black duo and their grey "child". Check out those white shoes -this is not bridal material anymore- and the white framed 50s sunglasses.

- Neonmix - Pastels

- Red - Blue

I brought home from Vienna several fashion magazines including Diva, an Austrian publication. And I'm so glad I bought it as it features amazing pictures. You can see them here and here and here. The magazine also has a look book highlighting the main trends of the up coming season, which are:

1. Floral: big, colorful, busy prints and even floral fabric appliqué

Plaids are no longer fall season prints. In fact I saw many fashion rules being dashed these past few season and that's a good thing, right? That's what it's all about, a permanent change and reinterpretation. I very much like this doll house (bathroom, in fact) setting from Alice+Olivia fashion show.

The Flapper look continues to be a strong trend in fashion. Designers looked for inspiration not only in Coco Chanel's constantly promoted style, but also in the mysterious figures of silent flicks or in the looks of angelic Mia Farrow playing Daisy Buchanan (The Great Gatsby-1974).
From the tennis player attire to flamboyant evening dresses the spring runways brought to live the jazz age feeling.

Left to right: Alexander Wang, Anna Sui, Christian Dior, Costello Tagliapietra and Daks.

Ethnic accents continue to be a strong presence in fashion, merging into a globetrotter look. Spring 2008 means the revival of Asian influences brought forward into an eclectic mix: obi-style belts at Alessandro Dell'Acqua, variations on the Mao collar at 6267, Max Mara and Prada (and not only), silky fabrics, dragon prints and calligraphic motifs, kimono tops, caftan coats and cheongsam dresses. Designers took all this traditional elements from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean culture and created feminine, relaxed looks.

Left to right: 6267, Alessandro Dell'Acqua and Alessandro Dell'Acqua.

Down: Rubin Singer, Martin Grant, MaxMara, Yohji Yamamoto and Prada.