The newest color-blocking is a simple two-color split. The effect can be as subtle as two shades of a single hue or as graphic as black-and-white. The duotone feature brings a bit of individuality to the season’s minimalist dresses, which are often softened by a center pleat or knot. Sportier styles might use bold color, and the two opposing halves can be laced-together, Frankenstein-style.
The newest color-blocking is a simple two-color split. The effect can be as subtle as two shades of a single hue or as graphic as black-and-white. The duotone feature brings a bit of individuality to the season’s minimalist dresses, which are often softened by a center pleat or knot. Sportier styles might use bold color, and the two opposing halves can be laced-together, Frankenstein-style.
Our FW 19 Eyewear Accessories Album featured a new shape we call “The W Lift”. While Gucci showed an exaggerated version, there are plenty of more wearable iterations showing up on other runways and on city streets. Frameless styles and shields give the silhouette a sleek lightweight feel, while a softened “w” in tortoise comes across as a modern cat-eye. Our favorite are the graphic triangles in black acetate, capturing a Matrix mood that reads happy rather than wicked.
Foil-finish silvers are the preferred metallic for next season. A straight skirt gets a visual flash with an ultra-shiny reflective surface. Crinkled foil coatings have a softer effect, as in a silver-dipped pea coat. Metallic panels juxtapose with stripes and solids for a surprising dose of futurism on an otherwise simple shift dress. A distressed silver coating takes 5-pocket jeans to the next level. Silver’s neutral quality makes it a perfect choice for footwear and accessories.
Textured tweeds are showing up all over Pre-Fall. Nubbly yarns and color-flecked weaves work for dresses, suits, outerwear and even pants. Leather-bound edges or frayed raw-cut edges finish. A new generation is drawn to the classic Chanel suit, made young this season with cargo pockets, patent trims, contrast arms or witty printed versions.
Leopard prints elicit strong feelings. Diana Vreeland said “I never met a leopard print I didn’t like” and Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine voices the time-honored opinion that “…leopard print is a neutral.” Leopard prints can go Kim K flashy, Deborah Harry punky or Jackie O classic. For pre-fall 18, leopard prints abound, and look right for coats, dresses, separates and accessories. Many of the prints use “realistic” markings, but novel approaches include mixing different scales, stretching and distorting the motif, or taking a flat graphic approach.