The Asian influence: The Indian Subcontinent has been in vogue for a few seasons but, for this spring and summer, designers have looked farther east for inspiration. California-based designer Jennifer Nicholson–Jack’s daughter–has done a cheongsam-inspired cropped shirt in embroidered silk, which Tom Julian, trend analyst for Fallon Worldwide, says hip Angelenos are pairing with jeans by Versace or Earl’s. A number of designers, including Roberto Cavalli, Miu Miu and Blumarine, have turned out slim-fitting cheongsam dresses. Tom Ford has reinterpreted Japan for Gucci, coming up with silk kimono wraps and slinky plum-blossom-print jersey dresses–perfect for a disco night on the town.
Metallic fabrics: They’re not just for belts anymore. This spring they come in sexy silhouettes, like Marc Jacobs’s shimmery baby-doll dress, Alexander McQueen’s silver-belted tunics and Julien Macdonald’s bronze mermaid gowns. Many designers also turned silver and gold into oversize jewelry, particularly necklaces, which can be worn like a second, dazzling neckline.
Bold colors: Color is back, with a vengeance. Rich hues, such as watery blues for Armani suits, plum for breezy chiffon dresses at Emmanuel Ungaro, slinky champagne silk blouses at Calvin Klein and Gucci and sugar pink shifts at Louis Vuitton have perked up the traditional white, –beige, navy and black palette of summer.
Microminis: As for hemlines, “Everything is shorter,” says Kal Ruttenstein, fashion director for Bloomingdale’s. Indeed, miniskirts and slim Capri pants are everywhere, from Chanel’s traditional tweed suits, sliced high to mid-thigh, to sweet summer dresses at Cacharel. “It’s warm out and the legs look good,” says Julian. If yours don’t, there’s still time to get in shape: the minis will be back for fall.
