Trend Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Divided

There’s only so many options to vary with a menswear wardrobe. Yet this season designers found a surprising way of spicing things up. Usual menswear suspects like the suit, the coat and the winter sweater were all made out of different parts. And though that is always the case with fashion pieces, this time all parts were clearly visible on the runway. Most designers worked pieces of leather into their looks. Like a piece of green leather on a Bottega Veneta suit, some crocodile leather on the top of a Calvin Klein sweater, leather sleeves (John Varvatos) and shoulders (Rick Owens, Yves Saint Laurent). Others mixed different types of wool, color and played with heavy and lighter fabrics. A fun way of mixing things up, especially with these thick winter pieces.

Trend Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Checkmate

Farmers, gentlemen and clowns; they all strutted the international catwalks sporting checks. Not your average black and white though; checks and tweeds came in unexpected colors and shapes. Tartan style at Van Beirendonck, Etro and Vivienne Westwood. Country inspired at Burberry and Zegna. Oversize at Browne and Yamamoto.
Opt for a head turning effect in a complete checked suit and matching hat like Browne, Von Assche and Yamamoto. Or work this trend more subtly in small checks (Burberry), perhaps just a modest touch of the print popping from under a sleeveless vest (Dsquared)? Working some tweed or checks into your wardrobe is never a bad idea. Besides, even a checked handkerchief can make you part of this gentlemen’s club.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Wow in White

It’s definitely a look to just sit in and be pretty, since it will get dirty the second you actually move in it. Yet a complete white look is absolutely stunning. It is clear many international fashion houses had the same thought. Brands like Alexander Wang, Balmain, Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti, Michael Kors, Lacoste, Isabel Marant and Jil Sander all sent full on white looks out on their runways. Not to mention the Alexander McQueen show, which had only white looks in it.

Some looks were very serene and sober (Lacoste, Alexander Wang, Yves Saint Laurent), others seemed extravagant and playful (McQueen, Peter Som, Doo Ri, Blumarine) as they were formed out of a mix of many different materials and pieces).

Whether you go for flat or fluffy; if you go for a white look, make sure you’re dressed in white from head to toe. Oh and be sure not to move, drink or eat something; you don’t want a coffee stain to ruin your full on white ensemble.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: New Velvet Luxury

Dark? Gothic? Forget it! Velvet is back in fashion and it’s for everybody.

This royal fabric popped up at innumerable shows like Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Etro. Not the least fashion houses , right?!

Done in many new and surprising ways the velvet looks brought some of that extra luxury to this season’s fall collections.

Aren’t those embroidered Balmain creations the ultimate form of luxury? Isn’t that deep purple Burberry jacket outstanding? And how amazing looks Yulia Kharlapanova in that green floor sweeping Gucci dress?

‘Nough said; we want to get our hands on one of these ‘new velvet’ pieces.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: The Print Suit

If there’s one fall trend we’d have to put our money on it would be the printed suit. Followed by the many printed and pajama looks of last season (designed by Marni and Dries van Noten a.o.) the print suit is now picked up by a large group of designers. It’s hard to miss this trend, since the biggest fashion houses (Miu Miu, Marni, Aquilano & Rimondi, Rochas, Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton) are joining in.

Both prints and colors have become slightly more seventies, since last year. Besides, we now see multiple versions of the suit (skirt + jacket, pants + Tee or sleeveless top). One thing is certain it’s a multi functional trend you can easily make your own.

Opt for graphics, florals or other nature inspired prints. Wear the top and bottom separately if you like, add a funky hat or belt your jacket for some extra femininity.

The number of styling possibilities is endless and you’ll always look chic.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Statement Patent (Leather)

I remember wearing those adorable patent leather shoes as a child. Probably the last time I saw patent leather really being in fashion. But, as with every fashion trend, the patent leather look just had to make a comeback and for fall it’s all over the place.

Your best patent investment probably is a leather coat. To be really on trend make sure you opt for a colored one, like we saw on the runway at Marni, Alexander Wang and Tommy Hilfiger. Is this a little too much patent leather to handle? Choose for smaller fashion pieces, like a pair of pants or some shiny boots (Viktor & Rolf, Lie Sang Bong). Or try to find fashion items that are only made out of patent parts. We’ve added some less shiny looks in the mix as well, although they look like they don’t really belong to the ‘patent’ category.

One extra reason to go for patent leather is the water resistant aspect of it, which can come in quite handy during our Dutch fall (rain) season….

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Oversized Coats

Larger than life; that’s what your winter coat should be upcoming season. Designers like Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander, Max Mara and Chloé have created large volume coats out of stiff structured fabrics.

The coats do look beautiful on their own. Yet creating any kind of feminine shape for yourself, that’s the challenge. Therefore cigarette pants seem a good match and a waist belt might just become your favorite fall accessory.

Which ever way you wear your oversized coat; you’ll definitely make a fashion statement.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: East meets West

With markets in the East still growing many designers wisely looked to the far East for inspiration. Once more they were inspired by the oriental prints, the hand techniques and the lively colors. And we couldn’t blame them! The far east has so much to offer it’s like a never ending source of inspiration.

Silky fabrics done in shades of black, red and gold (Temperley London, Dries van Noten, Peter Pilotto) created the ultimate Eastern feeling. As kimono sleeves (Zac Posen) and asymmetrical cross over tops (Proenza Schouler), obi belts and small platform shoes stressed to the oriental style.

Some designers went all the way and even adjusted their models’ hair and make up to the Eastern style. But it’s when you mix it with Western urban influences that the East really can make a statement.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Mixing Materials (Shoes)

We’ve already spotted this trend in the clothing section before, but now shoes too are made out of more than one material. Designers have been mixing and matching leathers, metallics, plastics and furs to create the most eye catching footwear.

A metallic heal or pointed nose (as seen at Marni, Byblos Louis Vuitton and Just Cavalli) seems the ultimate trend (started by Louis Vuitton for Spring/Summer 2012). But why not add a touch of lace (Anna Sui), fur (Iceberg), transparent plastic (Chanel) and sparkling crystals to the mix of leathers?

It makes it easier to match your wardrobe to your shoes and a fashion faux pad will be less evident.

Trend Report Fall/Winter 2012/2013: Modern Nomads

Modern Nomads strutted their stuff on the runways of Asish, Custo, Galliano, Donna Karan and Vivienne Westwood. Dressed in colourful layered ensembles they made quite a cheerful impression. Yet models also looked careless and relaxed, mostly walking with their hands in their pockets.

They wore asymmetrical looks made out of blanket-like fabrics wrapped around their bodies. Their face were covered by scarves, hats or large collars. At Asish they sported the brightest printed pieces, yet Issey Miyake, Band of Outsiders and Marc Jacobs weren’t afraid to add a some color either.

No clear rules for this trend. As long as you just toss a piece of garment around your body (and face) you can walk along with the nomad parade. Let’s just hope it won’t be that cold of a winter that it will be necessary to cover up that much.

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