LustreMag.com |

ELEMENTS OF THE STYLE

• Tribal, usually African inspired prints, stripes, and ikats in feminine fabrics, sometimes embellished with beads on the clothes.
• Wrist emphasis pairs best with bold looks, such as stacks of tribal bangles, multicolored Bakelite-like cuffs, and links wore singly or stacked with bangles.
• Bold swirls and twirls of color, very Op Art and Abstract but on sheer, feminine fabrics.
• Pattern on pattern mixing, sometimes incorporating florals, in a patchwork look that when pieced together took on a larger, graphic design.
• Minimalism remains a factor, often feminized with pale colors, and sometime sari-like wraps such as at Hermes and Costume Nationale.
• Seventies inspiration: earth-toned naturals embellished with elements such as woodblock prints, feathers, and shades of brown from croissant to chocolate.

Seen on the runways: Phillip Lam’s stone and braided looks, Marni, Fendi, Chloe, Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch, Metro and its tribal bead necklaces, Matthew Williamson, Catherine Malandrino’s abstract and tribal combo jackets, Karl Lagerfeld’s op art and conical necklaces.

AFFLUENT ATHLETICS

Tennis anyone? Although courtly games such as tennis and racquetball are popular with the country club set, other sports usually associated with the affluent are filtering down to a broader level. Ralph Lauren’s polo is the premier example, but now sports once associated solely with the well-to-do are having an impact in the “athleisure” market. While many are mainstays (belted rompers, tennis tops and shorts, or zippered track jackets) since they are taken directly from uniforms, the difference is in the high-tech fabrications, new colors, and layering. Designers also paired athletic inspired silhouettes with ultra feminine fabrics, adding ruffles, bows, or jeweled accessories.

ELEMENTS OF THE STYLE

• Golf and polo shirts abound both for men and women.
• Tennis stripes and white-with-color combinations.
• Many of the athletic inspired clothes, especially from European designers, come from soccer team colors. Ellen Campuzano at Fashion Facts Folio predicts freesia yellow is a sleeper color. “The fashion industry has always been afraid of yellow. It may not be the best color for around the face, but it’s coming in next year. Look for yellow to be especially strong in accessories.”
• Medals, pins, and sport team inspired pieces worn in clusters, treated as a more sophisticated version of the “girl scout” badge sash look.
• Crests and coats of arms representing real and fantasy teams as printed emblems, embroidered patches, and engravings on jewelry, belt buckles, and leather goods.
• Up and coming team sport concepts, especially rugby where concept stores are gaining in popularity.
• Equestrian motifs from racing horse heads to links modeled after bridles and bits.
• Sailing team insignias and nautical signal flags, inspired both in color and shape.
• Footwear: The Kids look tennis shoe, sometimes in printed canvas. Metallic versions (silver tones predominate) included greens, blue, and purple. Sneaker boots started out as a fun look in the junior market but now have been translated into a more grown up style.

Seen on the runways: Chanel, Richard Chai, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, Réyes, Carolina Herrera, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger.

STONE AGE