BYE BYE GRAY SKIES!

Okay, so winter’s not quite over yet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t dive head first into a season filled with colours destined to warm your heart! This spring, get ready for vibrantly bold tones that are sure to send a delightful tingle of electroshocks right down your fashion-forward spine, while light, flowing fabrics and springtime patterns offer up a fresh air of renewal with an assortment of rejuvenated styles. It’s the perfect way to send winter packing.

The catwalks are filled with inspiration too, and provide a healthy dose of fashion ideas as you wait for the warmer weather to arrive—and the perfect time to show off your latest springwear. So roll up your sleeves, embrace the gentle summer breeze and get carried away by an exciting blend of patterns, colours, and fabrics.

Colourama

Amber light

Without a doubt, orange is the palette of the season so brace for an audacious (and cautious) move to this colour. Whether as a business blouse by day or a flashier version of the perfect black dress by night, orange always creates classy outfits that never go unnoticed. From crimson coral to shimmering salmon, this season’s fashions are awash in shades of orange.

   
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Yves Saint-Laurent, Jil Sander, Paul & Joe, Marnii

       
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Max Mara

Colour block / Colour shock

When it comes to colour block fashions—the art of mixing vibrant colours to create a solid, unified look—designers haven’t held anything back. Jil Sander, who’s usually quite restrained when it comes to colour, is credited for starting the trend while other houses have simply followed suit. The end result is a goldmine of great-looking outfits featuring simple cuts and little fuss. Black and white shades are for the most part forbidden, although jewelry and accessories are tolerated, albeit sparingly. 

 
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Jil Sander, Gucci, Vuitto, Nina Ricci

Summer 2011 also sets the stage for plenty of neon or fluorescent. Lanvin uses them sensibly here and there, while ever-playful Miu Miu tackles them head on. The more timid among us can avoid uniformity and still stay true to this style by accessorizing outfits with a very thin belt, soon to be everywhere this season.

       
2011 Spring-Summer runways by Miu Miu, Paul & Joe, Lanvin

The little white dress

Time to shift from vitamin-rich juice to modest milk. We say it every year: “White is the colour of summer”. And this year is no different. When it comes to the little dress, white is the new black. Fitted, wrinkled or loose, it boasts uncompromising brilliance and elegance on countless catwalks.

  
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Max Mara, Alexander Wang

   
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana

Patterns

It’s all about the bouquet

Over at D&G, there’s a return to the time of innocence with big flowers strewn over “flower girl” designs with folksy overtones. Conversely, Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier have pursued a harder line, while Vuitton and Loewe take a more ladylike approach to floral. 2011 offers a bouquet that’s mixed and voluptuous—but think retro as opposed to romantic country setting

   
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Loewe, D&G

       
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Jean-Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel

Stripes: a safe bet

Horizontal or vertical, stripes are once again held in high esteem this season. Although vertical stripes can slim the silhouette, horizontal stripes can sometimes create an enlarged look at the bust line, especially if you’re bustier than average.  A good rule of thumb: stripes work best on elongated body types.

      
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Versace, Marc Jacobs, Viktor & Rolf

       
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Jil Sander, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Prada

Fabrics

For the love of lace

Even though there’s an abundance of white, bridal-like lace at Dolce & Gabanna, it can also be found in neon and fantasy-like styles, like a shorty from Vanessa Bruno. Add a touch of leather to help this noble, bourgeois fabric show off its devilishly sexy side

   
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Dolce & Gabbana, Proenza Shouler, Christopher Kane, Vanessa Bruno

Transparent

Extremely flowing and airy, translucent fabrics will definitely turn up the heat this season. But they’re not meant to be offensive. Instead, they’re designed to be delightful, surprising and subtly suggestive, and to be worn to their full potential!

      
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Max Mara, Dries Van Noten, Lanvin

Without a doubt, ‘Black Swan’ has played a supporting role in creating the dancer skirt fashion that’s all the rage this season. But even if leotards, tulles and tutus serve up grace and romance on the runways, that doesn’t mean they can be worn out on the town. To avoid being mistaken for a lost cast member from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, it’s best to complement your ballerina skirt with bright colours and other materials and accessories that can lend a bit of panache to your outfit.

       
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Dolce & Gabanna, Chloé

All that glitters

Even if strutting your stuff on the red carpet is not on your agenda, nothing stops you from spreading a little stardust in your wake. Lurex, satin and tassels are no longer just for the holiday season, and many designers have boosted their fashion shows thanks to a touch of instant shimmer. Create a sparkling duo by combining with light denim or other casual fabrics such as cotton or linen that tone down the nightlife look and help to create a very wearable day outfit.

  
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Louis Vuitton

      
2011 Spring-Summer runways from Loewe, Sonia Rykiel, Dries Van Noten

There’s another leading trend this season that’s a throwback to jolly old England—with a Quebec twist! I’m referring to the punk rock look. The chic version of course. Stay tuned for next month’s column,  “Punk’s not dead.”

A sampling from Zara’s March 2011 look book