True Colours

Bright and bold hues make a powerful fashion statement

With the warm weather just around the corner, fashion’s upcoming trends for the spring and summer 2011 season are coming into full swing. As with every new season, fashion trends showcase a distinct contrast to the former, as an element of excitement builds. This is especially true of this season’s spotlight on bold colour palettes and an interesting array of colour groupings. From rose coloured reds, tangerine oranges and acidic yellows, to electric neon and bold blues, this season’s extreme hues are sure to add a kick to any outfit.

Curiosity with colour

This season, designers are taking this colour fantasy to new heights, as Dior is featuring sky-high stilettos in a colour-block of red, orange, purple and fuchsia. Bally is showcasing this trend with whimsical wedges in royal blue and yellow. Summer is all about showing off what you got, and footwear is a fun way to play up a silk dress or flowing skirt.

Arm candy is another great way to add a pop this season, with a variety of handbag styles and shapes to choose from. A clutch is always a popular choice for a party dress or eveningwear ensemble. Dior has used snakeskin to add a textured element to a brightly coloured, fuchsia and yellow clutch. Louis Vuitton has shown a different take on this trend by showcasing structured flap purses with 70’s themed colours.

Rainbow colours are top rank in Milan

During Milan fashion week, industry professionals and fashionistas alike, were blown away by the work of Raf Simons, creative director for Jil Sandler. The show featured models in full-bodied skirts and dresses in an eclectic mix of colours, almost analogous to the mouth-watering shades at a gelato shop. Melon coloured oranges, lemon-like yellows and a strawberry field of reds and pinks, filled the runway. In the February issue of Harper’s Bazaar, Simons is featured in an article about his show, where he’s quoted saying, “The idea of couture, for me, is the uniqueness, and the uniqueness here is the colour.” Simons used fabrics like polyester and nylon blends to reinforce the bold colour choices of his show to create a powerful statement. Still in keeping with the minimalistic theme, Gucci revealed bold shades of emerald and violet in flattering silhouettes, accented by gold belts and buttons.

Novelty in New York

New York fashion week brought a lot of fun and flair, showcasing interesting and playful colour combinations for the bright season ahead. Designers, Diane Von Furstenberg and Prabal Gurung, used colours like turquoise and aqua, and dandelion yellow, with violet, to accent the clean lines of their designs. Marc by Marc Jacobs’ collection stretched the colour trend using bandwidth stripes in oranges and yellows, on an easy-to-wear dress for summer.

While bold expressions of colour were once thought of as a riskier choice, maybe resulting in a fashion-faux-pas, this season has thrown that all out the window. As it might be difficult to part with your black basics, try adding a punch of colour to your outfit. Lanvin incorporated neon colours in form-fitting dresses and skirts for evening or daytime wear.

Own the colour you’re in

While this trend is a fantastic way to spice up your spring and summer wardrobe, be sure that it fits with your individual style. Wearing staple colours like white, grey and black from head-to-toe can look a bit dull. Instead, accent those basics with eye-popping colours, like pomegranate or poppy red. If you want to add a subtle touch of colour, while still making a statement, pair a classic black dress with a pair of cerulean blue Gucci stilettos. Get yourself pumped up for the upcoming warm weather by brightening your wardrobe with some unique and colourful pieces.