Fashion Trend Journal
Victoria Strong FASM 215
Denim Folklore
a patchwork story
trend: denim patchwork
Denim
has become a staple in every man and woman’s closet. While classic looks will always be in style, designers are looking for new ways to spice up the denim world. It seems everyone is looking to travel lately, and those who can’t, dream of it. It is not surprising that this feeling of wanderlust has made its way into fashion. Stylesight noted to expect to see more handcrafted, vintage style denim pieces. This includes geometric patchwork inspired by 70’s folk art and traditional Japanese crafts. They take on a new twist when mixed with scrapbooking techniques, like multi-hue tones. This gives an overall homemade feel to the pieces. Since patchwork is the base of quilt making, these denim pieces will have that feel due to the mix of washes, materials and shapes. It will be interesting to see the different patchwork designs and combinations of textiles. This trend shouldn’t come as a surprise with the bohemian trend on the rise again. It is always nice to see something simple and classic done in a new way. It seems fashion, specifically street wear, is going back to becoming individualized. This has been seen in denim in the past with embroidery and patches. Fashion trends always come back around, and this is just one great example of it. Look out for pieces from designers like Ralph Lauren and Folk Fibers.
Inspiration was drawn from 70’s patchwork and folklore patterns.
mon o c h r o m a ti c m a tc h A trend that has been gain-
ing popularity, especially on the streets, is the monochromatic look. It is chic and looks sophisticated when put together right. The outfit is usually all the same hue of a color, although it has been seen with different tints and shades mixed together. Even makeup trends have gone monochromatic to match. This styling is not left to black and white anymore, but can be done with any color. The monochromatic look is on the opposite end of the fashion spectrum from prints, which are still widely popular. This trend proves that matching is not just for suits anymore and can look put together and clean. The key is to choose a color you feel confident in and that suits your complexion. Shoes can even be included in the color scheme. Somehow this type of matching does not seem too coordinated or wrong. Bold colors work great, such as reds and blues. Fashion has become more sleek and refined, and this trend is a clear example of this.
It’s c o o l to match.
Mixing different shades is another way to approach the monochromatic look.
LIGHT, BRIGHT, WHITE
When we were kids, we prided ourselves on having clean, white shoes.
Somewhere came the notion that the look of new sneakers were not cool to have, so we opted for the lived in, worn style. Sometimes we purposely dirtied new shoes to get that look. Shiny clean kicks have now become cool again. Specifically, all white sneakers are the sought-after shoes this season. Sneakers have become a staple in the fashion world, from tennis shoes to athletic styles. White is such a pure, innocent color that it turns any boring sneaker into something pretty. The all-white sneaker could be an echo of the monochromatic trend or an ode to childhood memories of new shoes. Either way, white has become a popular color, all the way to the toes. Sneakers are not just worn for athletics anymore. This trend has been noted by Refinery 29, Style. com and others. These shoes are worn with anything from street to couture (Chanel sported them in the Spring 2014 Haute Couture show). The popularity of sneakers could be due to the rise of urban style and focus of street fashion. Dresses are roughed up and edgy when worn with Converse or old-school Nikes. Next time you think of passing up sneakers, think again. These shoes have become refined and fashionable.
mod world
Mod (modern): subculture of the 1960’s characterized by stylish dress, the riding of mo-
tor scooters, and a liking for soul music. Fashion always look to the past when thinking about the future. 1960’s mod styles have been a popular trend on the runways for the past few seasons. Recently it has been seen in Gucci, DSquared2, Miu Miu and Valentino among others. Bright colors, graphic prints, materials and necklines are just some of the mod aesthetics that have been brought back in a fresh way. In the 60’s women took on a powerful role, and it was shown prominently through the bold fashion of the time. A-line silhouettes and short lengths made the runways in Fall 2014 collections. Accessories were brought back to the futuristic mod designs as well. Boots were a main focus for this look, ranging from tall to short. The metallic colors and squared toe of these shoes drove the mod idea home in the shoe department. Menswear also got the mod generation spin recently. The chic tailored look is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the free flowing silhouettes of the bohemian trend. It’s interesting to see how opposites are sometimes in style at the same time. It’s always compelling to see how old styles become new again with a modern design eye. This trend might be here to stay for the long run.
BACK IN STOCK
Birkenstocks have made a come back in the biggest way possible.
No one could have predicted this trend because no one would have believed it to be true. This German brand has made quite a rapid impact in 2014 and who knows how long they’ll be in style. It seems fashion has reeled itself in to more simplistic styles, giving some insight about why Birkenstock styles are seen everywhere. Even high fashion designers like Givenchy, Rebecca Minkoff and Marc Jacobs picked up this shoe style and interpreted it in their own way. Celine even made fur-lined sandals and named them furkenstocks. Shoe brands like Steve Madden and Stewart Weitzman have taken on the trend. The classic style that seems to be the stem of inspiration is the two-strap sandal with the large buckles, but there are tons of other styles and interpretations. They are comfortable and easy to pair with an outfit. They can be worn with dresses, jeans, trousers; the possibilities go on. Different brands offer different styles, such as studs, leather, prints, etc. The shoes form to your feet (as most shoes do) but they give more support than others with the built-in arch. People shouldn’t reject the trend so quickly without doing a little research.
CLE AS D
EAR DAY
Sheer styles have been seen for quite some time now, but
it’s been taken to the next level with transparency. Plastic is the new organza. The transparent trend is used on the runway and streets with pieces like jackets and bags. It’s fun because it gives us a peek at what would usually be hidden. This isn’t limited to the fashion industry and has been gaining popularity for interior design. Furniture like the ghost chair and clear tables have come from this idea. Clothing from street to high fashion have taken this transparency to new levels. Circle skirts from American Apparel are just one of the many examples. Ready-to-wear fashion styles seem to be influenced by 60s fashion lately, especially in Fall 2014 collections. Miu Miu used plastic in the venue design, echoing the use in the collection. The 60s were when synthetic fabrics were introduced such as vinyl and plastic. This is when these fabrics were brought into fashion. This innovation has not slowed since. The industry is still searching for new ways to create fashion, so it is exciting to see developments. Transparency is a hi-tech trend in a sense, so it will probably be used for some time. Accessories following this trend are the most commonly seen. Bags have been made of soft and hard plastic, giving designers more ways to create interesting styles. Bags representing perfume bottles, especially Chanel perfumes, have been seen at shows. Clear resin jewelry like chunky bracelets and soft plastic collars are a result. It will be fun to see what comes to market as this trend progresses and develops.
Technology
is bringing fashion to new heights with innovation over the years. This has trickled into the different textiles that are now being widely used from street wear to ready-to-wear. Technology has influenced our society to the point that it’s all metals and mirrors with holographic fabrics. This trend has gained a fan base in recent seasons with the pretty colors and iridescence. Hi-tech materials like these have become possible because of technology. Accessories have followed this trend too, bringing unique shoes and bags. Metallics have always been popular, but the holographic materials are on a different level. They give a wide range of colors depending on how the light hits, making them mesmerizing to look at. In a way it is an ode to technology and how much it is a part of our lives today because of its technicolor. Fashion and technology have been combined to create things that years ago would have been thought of as impossible, like color-changing fabric. This trend has been going for a few years now but has come a long way from the Kate Moss hologram from the 2006 Alexander McQueen show. Chanel, Sportmax and Marc Jacobs are just a few of the many hi-end designers who took this optical illusion material to the runway. Maybe optical illusions are the future of fashion for our technology-driven society.
HOL OGR APH IC
color me pastel
Hair color is no longer limited to the which explains how this style has exploded classic colors of blonde, brunette, red recently. Celebrities like Lady GaGa, Katy and black. Pastels are now being seen Perry and Nicki Minaj have been sporting regularly on the streets and runway. colored hair for years now, but colored hair These pretty colors can be used as tints, is no longer just for celebs. In the past, ombres or full color depending on per- subcultures have done things that are very sonal preference. Blues, pinks and pur- different from the normal trends at the ples are the dominant choices for this bold time, and this sort of hair coloring could coloring. The colors are soft enough that be seen as a subculture in a sense. Those they don’t stick out like the bright colors who are daring to be different and stand that have been used in the past (think out take on this coloring. It takes a bold early millennium Christina Aguilera). Peo- person to make a move like this, even if the ple like Charlotte Free have become sym- colors are girly. Hair trends are always bols of this trend, keeping this hair for fashion tricky to guess how long they will last, editorials and runways like Chanel’s but this is such a soft, feminine look, so Resort 2015 show.
Street style has who knows. Don’t be startled if you see
become a large center for inspiration, people walking around with pastel hair.