THE NEW B & W DUO
From New York to Paris, designers debuted black and white cocktail dresses that stood out among a sea of bright colors. Carmen Marc Valvo offered an alluring black, pleated cocktail dress that was met at the waist by a fitted white bodice inset with a panel of woven organza. A perfect dress for a night of dancing. Black cigarette trousers were paired with a slimming B & W color blocked sleeveless tank at Jason Wu, for a look that is tres chic any day of the week.
A white v neck dress with contrasting black piping from Alberta Ferretti can take you straight from the office to a night out with friends. Not one to avoid the limelight, Roberto Cavalli’s white stenciled dress with black flora botanica designs features a fishtail panel of fringe at the knee. Our all time favorite is Balenciaga’s sculpted B & W dress which came in several variations, each more stunning than the other with cascading ruffles and white peek-a-boo lining. At Costume National, a sporty strapless A-line top is paired with a vented black wrap skirt. The new black and white duo is sure to make it into every fashion lover’s wardrobe this spring.
LACE EMBROIDERY
Lace has never looked so captivating as designers amped up this once demure fabric into vibrant electrifying hues. Carolina Herrera’s ultra feminine sleeveless sheer lace blouse tucked into a slim trumpet organza came in a gorgeous shade of haute orange. J. Mendel’s sweet, mint green lace with organza confection is cinched at the waist and worn over an A-line skirt.
At Dolce & Gabbana, an exquisite see through black lace dress is worn over a black bustier and high waisted micro shorts, instantly transforming the look from casual to evening. Missoni’s playful pointelle knit dress has incongruous layers of patterned sheer lace revealing slivers of skin beneath multiple layers. Jet set micro mini’s at Balmain feature a woven octagonal pattern and strong shoulders. In contrast, Valentino’s 1940s Rome inspired collection featured a daisy patterned cotton lace skirt and jacket accessorized by a thin white cotton belt at the waist.
DAY GLO ORANGE
Diane Von Furstenberg bohemian jeweled neckline halter top is tucked into a vibrant orange, high-waisted trouser and paired with a long cream coat. Narciso Rodriguez’s blood orange, color blocked sheath dress has an arrowhead-shaped cutout from the neckline to the solar plexus. Rodarte also offered an extreme version of the color with their sharply pleated, deep v, mini dress. Helmut Lang’s sheer organza and orange leather sheath dress is easy to throw on and look your best.
Chado Ralph Rucci’s sharp, curve accentuating cocktail dress with matching cape is a stunning example of how to wear this hot color. Zac Posen’s ultra feminine, sweetheart neckline strapless gown is reminiscent of 1940s Hollywood.
SEA GREENS
From pale mint to forest green Milan designers established sea green as the new color for spring. Etro introduced a kelly green floaty, asymmetrical sari-like top with matching trousers. Prada’s forest green, three-quarter sleeve top with matching trousers is decorated with Wahol inspired daisies. Missoni’s sheer, A-line dress is thrown over a patterned, bodysuit. Roberto Cavalli made heads turn with his lime green slip dress creating an interesting mix of leather and lace. Alberta Ferretti’s floor length lace dress mixed with sequins and netting conjures up a modern day mermaid. An Asian inspired halter tunic paired with sheer trousers at Emilio Pucci makes for a great pool side look.
YVES KLEIN BLUE
French designers looked to New Realism founder Yves Klein to inspire the color of the season. Elie Saab portrayed this striking blue in a shawl collared, peplum blazer over a button-down blouse and pleated shorts creating a precision-cut, monochromatic look. Stella McCartney’s sheer white dress is inset with stiff organza creating panels of bright blue elliptical shapes bisected by a transparent panel at the midriff. For a chic casual daytime look, try Hermes’ suede, bateau tunic over electric blue leather shorts. Playing with proportions, Andrew Gn’s burnt orange, silk dropped shoulder top with butterfly sleeves is worn over bright blue, pleated capri pants tapered at mid-calf. At Issey Miyake’s a short sleeve polo is tucked into wide trousers for a sporty, sophisticated look. Chanel empire waistline robe over a swimsuit is the perfect cover up.
CROPPED TOP:
From New York to Paris, Designers reveled in revealing a bit of skin. 3.1 Philip Lim’s grunge inspired ensemble featured a black leather cropped top under a white blazer. Derek Lam’s pierced black leather bustier is paired with a mustard and military green madras skirt which displayed utilitarian style in a feminine way.
Leading the way in Milan, Dolce & Gabbana’s 1950s style cropped top is embroidered with a needlepoint floral motif in rich red and paired with a high-waisted A-line skirt and a swingy dolman sleeve jacket. Salvatore Ferragamo armor-like, black leather cropped top and black mini skirt with over-the-knee gladiator sandals is a favorite look for spring. Balenciaga’s midriff-baring top with a voluptuous floor length skirt made up of cascading ruffles is nothing short of stunning. At Victor & Rolf a black cropped top is visible underneath a blazer embellished with silver beaded fringe on the lapels worn over a silver lamé, full length, pleated skirt reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour.
LEATHER
Leather is a major trend for spring white, nude or vibrant hues. In New York, Jason Wu showed a coral, lace blouse with sheer sleeves paired with high-waisted black leather trousers. Oscar de la Renta’s extraordinary color combination featured a fuchsia cropped jacket over a turquoise leather sheath dress that is pure heaven.
Fendi’s feather-light, cropped leather pants in geometric color-blocked panels is paired with a white pleated blouse creating a cocoon shaped silhouette. At Sportmax a white, boxy jacket with houndstooth pattern cutouts over a skirt is smoking hot. Roland Mouret’s mud-dyed silk resembles leather in his asymmetrically cut maroon tank top paired with dark green, high-waisted trousers. Ann Demeulemeester armor-like top with straps and trailing sheer black sleeves is paired with relaxed wide legged black trousers.
SHEER
Derek Lam presented sheer in a whole new sex-ed up way, his red guipure lace t-shirt over a black bra is worn over a red skirt detailed with black embroidery. Tadashi Shoji’s ultra feminine, deep-v, pleated gown with exposed legs in nude chiffon is destined for the red carpet.
Bottega Veneta’s black mesh sweater over a floral print bustier is worn with a pencil skirt with striped floral embroidery. Dolce and Gabbana’s sculpted gold ball gown with a corseted bodice is visible beneath a sheer, black organza dress. French fashion house, Louis Vuitton’s floor-length column skirt in a sheer white checkerboard pattern is paired with a crew neck long sleeved sweater with yellow accents at the cuff. While at Valentino, a bibbed, floor length gown in a delicate nude chiffon is embroidered with tiny white seed beading.
