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TRENDSPOTTING: SPRING/SUMMER 2013 FASHION ROUNDUP | October 03, 2012 (1 comment)
Merrick, NY—The twice-yearly mad whirl of Fashion Week (times four!) in New York, London, Milan, and Paris drew to a close with a clear idea of some top trends for spring/summer 2013 ready-to-wear. The irony of the shows is that most of the people attending them haven’t even put away their summer whites from this year while they're watching what to wear next summer.
Jewelers, meanwhile, are just now beginning to receive their holiday merchandise orders for 2012. But it’s never too early to look ahead at what’s coming next year, and perhaps even jump on the trends early for some fill-in orders, or, in warmer climates, for the resort season that's just around the corner.
Here’s what the runways showed for spring/summer 2013, and how to add the right kind of jewelry:
Black and white. After seasons of riotous color, one of the most noticeable trends on the spring runways was the return of black and white as a strong summer combo. Color isn’t dead—far from it—but the biggest news was bold graphic black and white, done in digital prints, stripes, zigzags, or color-blocked. Given the ever-present fashion pendulum, it’s no surprise that black and white would suddenly pop out after so much color. Jewelry suggestions: black and white diamonds, black and white pearls.
Stella McCartney, left, and Isabel Marant, right, do black and white. Other spring trends in these photos include the floral print on Marant's dress and sheer insets on McCartney's. Photos: Refinery29.
Tahitian pearl and diamond earrings from Tara, left, and a black and white diamond ring from Cherie Dori, right, fit the black and white trend.
Fifty Shades of What? Proving that trends really do cross all categories, one of the biggest influences in the black-and-white trend is, um, sadomasochism. S&M is, of course, the focus of the runaway best-selling “mommy-porn” Fifty Shades of Gray series. Or, taking a more highbrow approach to the subject, as Marie Claire magazine does, one might also reference legendary black-and-white photographer Helmut Newton, whose images always smacked faintly of erotica. But don’t worry—the clothes themselves have only a touch of inspiration, they’re not a literal interpretation of bondage. Jewelry suggestions: heavy link chains, precious materials mixed with leather, studs as a decorative element.
Nanis's Energy link chain softens up the idea of "bondage" and makes a classic statement. Right, Stephen Webster's Big Bang Crystal Haze ring has some edge to work this trend.
Jason Wu, who rocketed to fame for designing Michelle Obama's inaugural ballgown, taps two spring trends here: peekaboo cutouts covered with sheer mesh, and the "bondage" idea expressed in leather with a whisper of corset in the design. At top of page, Herve Leger reinterprets his iconic bandage dress—derivations of which can be seen on every club-hopping twentysomething in the country—by adding some “bondage”-inspired leather touches. Meanwhile, gold bands on this Todd Reed cuff hint at the bondage trend but also tap into another spring trend, stripes. Fashion photos: Imaxtree for Marie Claire
Peekaboo. Strategically placed cutouts show a surprise flash of skin. Also in the trend is a bare midriff, bra tops, or even a soft sheer overlay to give a softer interpretation to the erotica trend for spring. Also playing to this trend are perforations and macramé. Jewelry suggestions: Less is more. The focus will be on the skin, and the strategic cutouts will direct the eye around the outfit, so keep jewelry simple. A cuff bracelet or bold watch and on-the-ear earring will complete the outfit, not detract from it.
Two trends in one: Isabel Marant's bare-midriff, embellished take on spring. Photo: Refinery 29. Meanwhile, at right, Donna Karan taps three trends in one: cutouts, pearl embellishments, and the watery blue color that’s going to be popular come spring. Photo: Imaxtree for Marie Claire.
Embellishments. Beading and bejeweled clothing were seen on a number of runways. Whenever this trend comes around, it’s always a double-edged sword for jewelers. On one hand, we like it because it already suggests jewelry by its very design; on the other hand, it’s almost enough bling to stand on its own. Jewelry suggestions: Target the ears. No matter how sparkly the dress or top, naked ears means a half-dressed outfit. Next, if the silhouette of the outfit is simple and the arms are bare, go for a bracelet, otherwise add a “wow” of a cocktail ring and consider it done.
An airy, on-the-ear diamond flower earring, like these from Oliva, would work well with both bare and embellished looks. At right, Moonlight cocktail rings from Nanis are simple but bold enough to stand on their own.
Watercolor. While black and white is spring's runaway new fave, color isn't dead. Far from it--and one of the key looks, along with the florals mentioned below, is going to be water-inspired greens and blues, like this green dress from Gucci, left or the blue pants and sheer top by Alberta Ferreti. Jewelry suggestions: Go tonal with tanzanite, sapphire, aquamarine, tsavorite, chrysoprase, and emerald in rich yellow gold.
Gold and gems, like this ring from Marco Bicego, work to accessorize the water-color looks of spring.
Florals. A perennial summer favorite, what isn’t printed with digitally-inspired or mirror-image abstracts will be printed with flowers this year, and the poppy is emerging as a favorite. Whether the floral is more Monet or Marimekko, this is the place for colored gemstone jewelry to pick up one or more of the tones in the outfit.
This Sumo floral dress (note the cut-out midriff!) calls for citrines, like these earrings from Mazza.com. Dress photo: Imaxtree for Marie Claire.