Modern Bazaar Leans to Ethnic, Military and Romantic
A performance of the Abalaye African Dance Ensemble helped make a point at the Directives West buying office Spring 2006 Modern Bazaar fashion show on Oct. 10: Clothes with an ethnic accent will be an important trend for Spring 2006.
More than 600 department-store executives and buyers viewed the fashion show’s 150-plus looks at the California Market Center’s fashion theater before dispersing to the trend seminars conducted by the Directives West staff.
Military-inspired clothes, peasant blouses with a romantic flair, nautical and Victorian looks will make an impact for Spring 2006. But many of the fashions with Bollywood- and African-inspired details will be interpreted with a Southern California feel, said Shelda Hartwell, vice president of juniors, separates and dresses at Directives West. “Los Angeles has a unique style that all want to emulate,” she told the audience before the show began.
Southern California–friendly looks that were deemed “must-haves” for Spring 2006 included vintage screened Ts. Other fashion musts were gauchos, cargo pants, tiered and layered skirts, bandedbottom tops and shrug tops.
Major influences for Spring 2006 include a variety of embellishments, such as wood trim, crystals and embroidery. Consumers will look for homespun details, such as crochet, in their clothes. They’ll also be wooed with metallics such as Lurex. Victorian-inspired clothes with floral designs will be highly popular, as will feminine details such as puffed sleeves, ruffled hems and ruching.
The show debuted several dresses from new label OC by Oleg Cassini, by the legendary 92-year-old designer who minted the iconic style worn by former First Lady Jackie Kennedy. Spring 2006 trends for dresses will include straight hems, bubble hems, empire waists and the wrap dress. —Andrew Asch
