White Now

Utopia

Assimilation is the key word for spring/summer 2014 (SS2014) fashion, stated Marylou Luther, creative director for Fashion Group International, as she opened her trend presentation to an audience of fashion professionals in New York City. The look for the season, she explains, is a mix of flower girls, latter-day hippies and tribal warriors, as well as Greek and Roman goddesses, in which folkloric and ethnic inspirations meld into a modern context. “This new amalgamation,” sums up Luther, “is fashion’s response to a global movement, a kind of ‘why-can’t-we-all-just-get-along’ mood of inclusion.” She notes that the season’s clothes borrow looks from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Luther identified the following as the top trends for SS2014. WHITE: The most important color, or “noncolor,” is white. Luther observed that more designers opened their shows with white than any other color. White with black accents is the updated version of classic black and white. Even shoes and handbags take a spin in white. THE WHITE SHIRT: From crisp cotton to flowing chiffon, the white shirt is the season’s must-have, says Luther, as it works with almost any look. THE LITTLE WHITE DRESS: White dresses showed up as shirtdresses, shifts and sheaths as the warm-weather staple steps into the spotlight. SPORTS FANS: Fashion borrows from the sports arenas literally, as track pants, boxer shorts, athletic jackets, hoodies and tennis sweaters get a redo in unexpected fabrics and take to the streets in chiffons, mesh, satin and knits. THE WORD ON FLORALS: The runways bloomed with a garden of floral and leaf prints, sometimes sprouting on top of stripes. “The logo reasserts itself,” says Luther, “It’s okay to wear someone else’s initials again.” Words and faces are also popular print motifs going forward. JUNGLE JIVE: Zebra, leopard and tiger patterns prowled the runways along with metallics — gold, copper, bronze and silver. PANTS: Narrow, pleated, medium or full pants are looking more directional with higher waistlines. The Bermuda short is also a hit this spring. “The Bermuda is part of the new pant triangle, which includes culottes and capris,” says Luther. SKIRTS: When it comes to hemlines, anything goes, but longer — mid-calf to right above the ankle — is most on trend. Pleats of all sorts play an important role in skirts. EVENING: Expect the unexpected in eveningwear as leather jackets pair with cocktail dresses and chiffon skirts. Sweaters and sweatshirts team up with transparent dresses and T-shirts make a date with tuxedo pants. LEATHER: Fall’s fascination with leather continues into warmer weather. Crocodile, patent, gold and perforated leathers are making a big play, while “python has the biggest bite,” observes Luther. COLOR: Most important, after white, notes Luther, are “the foundation shades — nude to creamy beige to tawny.” Pink from pale to shocking is a spring favorite, followed by Jordan Almonds colors along with electric brights. EMBELLISHMENT: Spring apparel is heavily embellished with tassels, fringe, beading or embroidery — a trend that extends to accessories as well. JEWELRY: Pearls are big news for SS2014; pile them on the neck, ears, wrist and fingers, says Luther. Bracelets and bangles continue to be a favorite, as are chokers and tribal-inspired necklaces. “IT” GIRL JEWELS    So what is the hot jewelry fashion right now? For Elle Evans, model, actress and “it” girl from singer/songwriter Robin Thicke’s hit music video “Blurred Lines,” which has generated over 200 million views since its release, the must-have jewel is her diamond and pink gold ring. But she makes a classic style modern by wearing it with a twist. “My favorite piece of fine jewelry that I own is my Repossi pink gold and diamond Knuckle Ring; it is seriously precious,” says Elle. “Diamonds are forever and pink gold is so in right now! The ring is very small, it is designed to be worn above the knuckle rather than at the base of the finger. It is a very of-the-now ring but will make a stunning addition to your lifelong collection of timeless jewelry pieces.” Spring 2014 Colors BALANCING ACT    The Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2014 is all about balance — it is a combination of vivid brights and soft pastels. Color reflects the world around us in a social context as well as on a personal level and balance is key right now. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says, “This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium. While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations.”    The men’s and women’s color palette share seven of the ten colors. The men’s spectrum replaces Violet Tulip, Hemlock and Radiant Orchid from the women’s hues with Purple Haze, Comfrey and Magenta Purple — deeper, stronger and more robust masculine shades than those in the women’s color range.    Pairing the pastels with brights adds a modern edge to the color mix. Try mixing bright-colored gemstones with pastel-colored gemstones to make jewelry feel more contemporary, or add a bold-colored gemstone jewel to a neutral outfit for an opulent accent. Keep the look romantic with pastel on pastel. For those who want to keep their style classic, diamonds are forever.