2012 Fashion Trends

….For Ladies!

For many of us who keep up with fashion, we know that colour coordination is important but not enough. Having knowledge of the colour trends for that year/season is a must.

Like past seasons, 2012 season is here with its own colours, patterns, fabrics, prints, and styles. For 2011, it was Honeysuckle a shade of pink. This year, Pantone Colour Institute announced ‘Tangerine Tango’ as the primary colour for 2012. However, if you feel Tangerine Tango is not for you, then you can opt for the other colours for 2012; ‘Solar Power ’, ‘Bellflower’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘Sodalite Blue’, ‘Margarita’, ‘Sweet Lilac’, ‘Driftwood’, ‘Starfish’ and ‘Cockatoo’.

2012 Colour Characteristics

Over the years, fashion designers/houses and consumers have embraced the colour orange. Like living things, colours are expressive; portray feelings, send signals and boost impressions. A colour could portray joyfulness, youthfulness, sorrow, vibrance, maturity, etc.

Fashion houses strut their designs featuring Tangerine Tango on the runway

Tangerine Tango: the mix of Red & Orange symbolizes

·      Sophistication, seduction and drama

·      It is Juicy, enticing and refreshing

·      Radiance and warmth and would boost your energy like the sun

·      Vivaciousness and adventure

·      FUN

Solar Power – radiates warmth and cheer

Cabaret – is bright, exciting and sexy

Sodalite Blue – shows order and brings calmness to the mind

Starfish – brings warmth and neutrality

Bellflower – exudes uniqueness and creativity

Margarita – uplifts your spirit

Sweet Lilac – will bring a touch of romance to your wardrobe

Cockatoo – will make your spirits soar

Driftwood – brings an adaptable blend to your wardrobe

Combination suggestions for this seasons colours

Tangerine Tango can compliment various styles and complexions when combined to suit you skin tone. It could be combined with bronze, cream, white, yellow, or fuchsia pink. When mixed with pink and yellow, you get a spirited and energetic vibe to your look. Also, Tangerine tango can be mixed with the other colours for the season but be weary of mixing more than three colours because that could be too much and look too busy.

For a great colour blocking effect, you can mix the following colours

·      Bellflower + Tangerine Tango + Cabaret - for an ultra bold look

·      Margarita + Sweet Lilac +Cockatoo – for a subtle alternative

·      Margarita + Sweet Lilac + Driftwood – for practical vibration

·      Solar Power + Sodalite Blue

·      Solar Power + Sodalite Blue + Starfish

·      Starfish + Tangerine Tango

·      Tangerine Tango + Bellflower + Starfish

·      Sweet Lilac + Solar Power

Colour blocking continues to be popular this season like past seasons but it is bolder this season. Whilst mixing the colours, ensure the mix matched evenly with your skin tone. 

From looking at the designs the models strut on the runway, collectively, the top trends for 2012 are:

1.    Floor length skirts

2.   Ball gowns

3.   Bold blossoms in vibrant hues and conspicuous patterns

4.   Animal prints; inspiration from Africa

5.    Peplum; ruffles attached to clothes at the waistline. A must have accessory

6.   Sequins and Drop waist silhouettes

7.   Colourful Digital graphic prints

8.   Exposure of the midsection; abs or belly

9.   Pointees and chic shirt dresses

10.Floral suits; Head-to-Toe designs were the rage this season 

11. Birds; designers incorporated humingbirds, swans and pheasants in to their clothes

12. Theme; designers incorporated elements of the deep sea in their designs

13. Texture of fabric; Matte Silk

14. Light hues and complexly arranged elements appeared on the run way

15. The softer side of the colour chart also came to play; From Rose-hue to silky blush

Floor length Skirt by Jason Wu

Tangerine Tango Ball Gown by Christian Siriano

Dress with birds' prints by Marc by Marc Jacobs

Peplum Skirt by Jason WU

Dress by Peter Pilotto inspired by the Deep Sea

African print dress by Carven exposing the mid-secrion

Light coloured and complex designed dress by Louis Vuitton

Lovely Dress by Dolce & Gabbana

Oscar de la Renta Dress inspired by the African Safari

Graphic Art Top and Bottom by Rodarte

Another design by Peter Pilloto; Graphic Art

Garphic Art incorporated into this Mary Katrantzoudress

Graphic Art Jacket and Pant by Thakoon

I so love this Graphic Art dress by

Giorgio Armani

Rose dress by Alexander McQueen

Another WOW Jason Wu number... This i definitely love

Christian Dior

Perfect Pairing by Proenza Schouler

Top-to-Bottom Floral Print Suit by Peter Som

Another of my favourites by Hermes; Inspired by Africa

Incorporate seasons colours to your home interiors

Season colours are not restricted to the runways or high streets alone. Tangerine tango can also be used at home to add energy to interior spaces like walls, bed sheets, furniture and ornaments to bring some spice to your home.

Embrace the new season’s trends, and refresh and add colour to your style and wardrobe. 

Men's 2012 fashion Trends coming soon!!

Cass Di xx