Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2009 (See-through)

"See-through? Are you kidding? You must have mistakened the trend with Spring/Summer for next year." Maybe this is the general comment from people when noticing this trend for the first time. However, this is true. See-through is one of the Fall and Winter trends this year. With the effect of global warming, the difference between four seasons is becoming not so obvious. Less fur may be an environmental protection claim but also a fact to face with the warmer winters. See-through has extends its influence from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter fashion. In winter, see-through is more of a sexy, mysterious presentation. See-through materials such as chiffon are generally accompanied with deep V cutting to exaggerate the sexy effect. Brands presenting this trend includes Paul Smith, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu etc.

Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2009 (Black Always)

Whenever we ask what the favorite color of fashion is for Fall & Winter, the answer is always black. Some people may not admit this fact and state different colors that may replace black as the dressing color. However, when you pick your clothes from your closet in the "cold" time, you may have taken a black one in your hand unconsciously. As such, in strick speaking, we should not treat BLACK as a fashion trend as it is always a favorite for Fall & Winter. Black represents "cold and mysterious" which is a perfect match of the mood of Fall & Winter. Dressing in black, you can easily catch up with the fashion trend in every Fall & Winter. Though black is a must color, fashion designers have used their imagination and creativity to create black fashion in different materials, different styles and different cuttings. Black color is all along the runway of brands like Chanel, Fendi, Calvin Klein and Lanvin etc this year.

An Introduction to Kimono - The Traditional clothing of Japan

Kimono is a traditional clothing of Japan. The word "kimono" is originated from Japanese which means a "thing to wear" (ki "wear" and mono "thing").

Kimonos are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves. Kimonos are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial), and secured by a sash called an obi, which is tied at the back. Kimonos are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially zōri or geta) and split-toe socks (tabi).

The earliest designs of kimono were heavily influenced by Chinese clothing as the Chinese cultrure has great impact on many Asian countries in ancient times. Designs have been modified by Japanese during its developement to make them more stylish and elegant. Today, kimonos have become a high class dressing for Japanese women and are most often worn on special occasions.

Fashion Power from Japan

Japanese fashion designers are now an influential power in fashion industry. Yohji Yamamoto, Tsumori Chisato, Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garcons) and Issey Miyake are well recognised Japanese fashion designers in the global fashion industry. Though they are with their individual collections, one thing is in common that they do not simply follow the western design styles learned from fashion schools but to mix the traditional Japanese kimono, origami, cultural, architectual elements into modern western fashion designs. I would like to call this a "Fashion Fusion" in line with the popular "Food Fusion" in the dining industry. Fashion magazines like to call this "Fashion Fusion" as "East meets West" but I will recognize this as "Japan meets West". Irregular shapes, multi folds, loose designs and fine embroideries are all basic elements of Japanese traditional kimonos. Now they are mixed, matched and simplied into kimono style clothes to meet the needs of different modern occassions.

Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2009 (Golden 80's)

The 80's seems to be a memorable and golden decade for us. We have different great MJs around the time, Michael Jackson in POP, Michael Jordon in Basketballs and Marc Jacobs in Fashion. Oh, don't mix up. Marc Jacobs is not quoted to be great in the 80's but his greatness in promoting the golden 80's for this Fall and Winter fashion trend. Bright colors, oversized jacket and power shoulders all featured in the runways leading by brands such as Louis Vuitton, YSL, Dolce & Gabbana and surely Marc Jocobs etc. New elements have been adopted by fashion designers to give a new look of these 80's features such as geometric cuttings of power shoulders from YSL. Tight pants or pencil skirts are also dressed with oversized jacket to create contrast effects.

Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2009 (Summary)

The year, the Fall and Winter fashion trend is a continuation of the Spring and Summer trends. Under the financial tsunami, fashion designer tends to goes from "Runway Fashion" to "Dressable Fashion" and from "Conceptual" to "Practical". Below are some of the fashion trends for Fall and Winder 2009 :

1. Golden 80's

2. Black Always

3. See-through

4. Dress Coat

We will discuss each trend in details later.

Fashion Trend - Spring and Summer 2009 (80's Again)

History repeats itself. Fashion elements in different decades also repeat themselves to create new trends. One typical example is the hot "bling bling" of 60's becomes trendy again around these few years. This year, it's 80's turn. In the 80s, the fashion trend was masculine influenced with the wide use of shoulder pads for women. However, fashion designer will not just simply copy but adopt. Fashion designers manipulate fabric in ever bolder (and bigger) ways but the shoulder pads are smaller to give a less masculine effect than the 80's. Fashion brands leading this trend are Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Christian Lacoix and Ralph Lauren etc.

Fashion Trend - Spring and Summer 2009 (3D Design)

Volume cutting becomes a popular design trend in fashion in recent years. Fashion designers fulfill their needs for creativity by bending, folding and twisting fabrics in a ever bolder way. This year, 3D designs are leading the trends along the runways of different brands. Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, YSL and Chloe are presenting their ways of 3D ideas. Some people may think 3D designs are only showpieces to attract eyeballs in fashion shows and are not suitable for real life dressing. But, you may also catch this trend with clothes carrying 3D features like cocoon sleeves and draping designs. These features will surely make your dressing styles richer and more trendy.

Perky Yellow

Isn’t it fabulous to wear YELLOW now? It’s the colour of sunshine and could brighten up one’s mood. After seasons and seasons of black, black and… black, perky YELLOW has finally come. It is the perfect colour to wear whenever your spirits needs an uplift. Yellow carries the same healing qualities associated with the sun. It offers warmth, optimism, and light. All shades of yellows (and golds) will cheer you up and help make you feel happier. Yellow is often criticized as being garish and overpowering. But there are so many shades of yellow.. from amber yellow, mustard yellow to tangerine yellow and buttery yellow. The options are unlimited. Pick one to match your own skin and hair colour and wear it out out into the world to make an affirmation statement.

Remember, being happy is your choice!

Fashion Trend - Spring and Summer 2009 (Asymmetric)

Symmetry is always a balance beauty in human history. In 2009, everything seems going in the other ways. Financial crisis, swine flu and other difficulties are driving people to lose faith in things thought to be right in the past. Under such circumstances, asymmetry gives an unbalance beauty from the chaos. Asymmetric design are one of leading fashin trends in this Spring and Summer. Asymmetric goes with one shoulder, one strap blouses, uneven skirt hem and all designs with asymmetric cuts. Versace, Ninna Ricci, Lanvin and Valentino etc are leading the influx of this asymmetric fashion trend.

Will Plaid be Out?

Plaid or tartan or gingham, or checkers, whatever you call it, is everywhere last season. Will the trend continue in the new season? On a second thought, I would ask, has plaid ever be out? Actually I have been seeing plaid since my childhood, my secondary, my college. I think pattern like plaid or floral or polka dots, will never be out. Every season, there are plaid designs, and one can’t possibly be looking “out”, for wearing plaid.

I like the versatility of plaid shirt. A tailored one paired with skirt makes one looks preppy. A loose one could be worn as a cardigan and paired with tube tops. Red and green tone produces a college look, while brown tone looks rustic. The possibility is infinite. How about plaid / tartan in ruffles and fluid flowy chiffon?

Fashion Trend - Spring and Summer 2009 (Shiny and See-Through)

No need to say, both shiny and see-through are the most effective fashion elements in attracting eyeballs. In this spring and summer, you won't make yourself look odd to dress with shiny and see-through because they are one of the fashion trends.

Shiny

Metallic colors, sequins, beads and shiny stones are the common elements for shiny. Fashion designers mix-and-matches them to create different charming effects. Prada, Chloe and YSL are the fashion brands leading this fashion trends.

See-through

To me, see-through is a better presentation of sexy than deep V, short pants or simply bra top as it gives more space for imaginations and goes in between sexy and conservative. Moshcino, Fendi and Celine all launch different styles of see-through collections this year. Besides fashion effect, the light material for see-through such as chiffon also gives you another advantage for S/S ie COOL!!!

A Worthwhile Investment – Scarves to Play Up Your Style

Small square ones, long thin ones, large shawls, bandanna, silk, chiffon, lace, cotton, wool, pashima, knitted, crochet, floral, tartan, plaid, embroidered, beaded, sequined, patched… the list could go on and on. Expensive or bargain, scarves make great difference to outfits. They create layering effects, they give the wearer an ethereal aura, or sometimes an artistic touch. They give a chic and dressy feel to an otherwise too boring outfit. And the choices of scarves are so wide that you would be able to choose one to fit for different occasions and attires. Formal and business, evening, clubbing, yachting, outing, traveling, dating…and most important, it has a practical function to keep you warm, when it gets too windy or when the air conditioning is a bit low, not to mention its versatile way of dressing, as a halter top, headband, sarong or wrap skirt.

I heart scarves. I usually buy a scarf once it attracts my attention. If I don’t take immediate action, chances are I can’t find it again anywhere. What’s more, buying a lovely scarf is one of the many ways to make myself happy.

Fashion Trend - Spring and Summer 2009 (Summary)

Though Spring is still on its way to earth, to be more precise Northern Hemisphere, we need to get prepared for the coming Spring/Summer fashion trends. The trends are summaried as follows :

1. Asymmetric

2. 3D Design

3. 80's Again

4. Shiny and See-Through

As usual, we will discuss each trend one by one in details later.

Fashion Trend - Fall and Winter 2008 (Dropping Down & The 70's Glam)

Short or Long are always two opposite forces for fashion trends each year. The trend is like a pendulum. Sometime it goes for short and sometimes it goes for long. Some people even relate the long short trend to economy. When the economy is hot, the skirts goes up and when the economy goes down, the skirt runs down. It seems quite correct for this year. Long is winning the trend. Length of skirt drops from knee length to Mid-calf and even drops down to floor-grazing. The lean and mean silouette look were shown all along the runways of Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, and Erin Fetherston. Even the sexy Dolce & Gabbana go for more conservative and "dropped down" its skirt design.

On the other hand, the 70's Glam also revives for this F/W fashion trend. Hippy style, neutral look of Annie Hall and elegant dressing are all design elements of fashion designers. All these styles are presented in an elegant way with premium materials like silk, chiffon, fur and sequins. Brands like Hermes, D&G and Gucci are leading this trend.