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Directives West Spring 2016 runway show

Directives West Spring 2016 runway show | California Market Center | Los Angeles |Oct. 5, 2015 | Photos by Norman Zeller

Store buyers packed the Fashion Theater in the California Market Center to see the semiannual trend show presented by buying office Directives West.

Shelda Hartwell-Hale, Directives West’s vice president, pointed out that there were a number of key items and trends for Spring 2016 that would freshen up stores’ merchandise. “Let’s not be stagnant about what we are doing. We need to keep a fresh and new perspective,” she said, standing on the runway before the Oct. 5 show started.

Dresses are still very popular as fashion trends keep up the feminine look. Lots of long coverups, jackets and vests paired nicely with skirt and pant outfits and even dresses. The pencil skirt had a nice presence in the show as did tunic tops.

Pant silhouettes kept their skinny look but also branched out into palazzo pants and flare bottoms.

Khaki, white and faded blues were big in the color scheme as well as floral prints that spanned every age group.

Key items for the contemporary crowd included casual knit T-shirt dresses with a classic crew neck; rompers with skin-baring panels, open backs, all-over lace, and floral and tribal prints; summer suede pieces; off-the-shoulder blouses with delicate laces; wide-leg pants; and tops that are updated kimonos, utility jackets, soft trench coats and bomber jackets.

For the juniors group, there were lots of shorts that varied from denim cut-offs to patterned pieces; lots of cotton fabrics in shirts, tank tops and T-shirts; feminine tops in lace and crochet with updated peasant and off-the-shoulder necklines; knit T-shirt dresses with no-waist looks; flare pants; and ankle jeans in white and lighter washes with hems that are rolled, cuffed or frayed.

In the better/moderate updated world, looks included the white shirt seen in tunic lengths as well as tops in plaids offered in spring colors; skirts in midi and knee-grazing lengths with new takes on the pencil and wrap silhouette; longer, structured sleeveless vests that are new to the moderate crowd but lightweight and textured cardigans that are still in vogue; novelty knit tops in asymmetrical and layered looks that remain on the scene; denim, a top player with flare jeans making an entrée into the updated trend; and athleisure wear, which is stronger than ever.

A whole section was devoted to denim dressing and its various uses in rompers, dresses, chambray jackets, blouses, skirts and overalls. The bohemian look persisted with peasant-look blouses and embroidered dresses.