Directives West Runway Show Highlights Seasonal Trends
October kicks off a month full of fashion events, including the Los Angeles Majors Market and the Directives West runway show. Highlighting trends for Spring 2012, the show included a range of contemporary, better/moderate update, juniors and girls’ looks from more than 200 designers.
Themes for next Spring include quot;Grass Roots,quot; a romanticized vision of country life and American vintage; quot;Globe Trotter,quot; a celebration of ethnic influences and ’70s hippie chic; and quot;The Clash,quot; featuring striking graphics and empowering colors.
quot;We haven’t seen this much bold color since the ’80s,quot; said Shelda Hartwell-Hale, vice president of Directives West, when describing quot;The Clash.quot;
Hartwell-Hale listed Santa Monica Place as the hot spot for shopping, people-watching and dining in the Los Angeles area and said the economy had affected what consumers want.
quot;Consumers’ spending has changed,quot; she said. quot;Newness, variety and perceived value are what sells now.quot;
She also highlighted the importance of taking risks in fashion. quot;If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more,quot; she said.
The runway show featured red, white, blue and mustard-yellow quot;Grass Rootsquot; cowgirl looks and color blocking from Creative Commune, Willow and Clay and Kersh, among others. Key trends included white maxi dresses, denim shorts and floral skirts, along with colored silk blazers paired with shorts and printed tops.
The show also highlighted peasant blouses, short sleeveless jumpsuits and romantic florals from Claudia Richard, Love Fire, Mel and Mo and G Girl, as well as ethnic prints with lots of fringe and Southwestern colors from Trixxi, Sanctuary and Skies are Blue. Go Make Noise paired a beaded top with Bleulab’s tight denim jeans in deep turquoise for a contemporary take on globe trotting.
Eighties neon was back in full force with quot;The Clash.quot; Hot pink, electric blue, bright green and vivid orange were staples for brands such as Language, Yana K. and Petticoat Vintage. Cropped jeans and striped shirts, skirts and dresses also dominated.
For overall trends, florals, paisley and bright Missoni-inspired prints were big, as were corked wedge heels and fringed purses, vests and shirts. —Deidre Crawford
