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Floral Trend Report: Resort 2015 Collections

Floral motifs were a common theme and a clear trend in the collections shown in the 2015 Resort runway shows last month. Each of the many designers who used floral patterns in their collections did so in their own unique and original way, varying in color, size, fabric, style and mood. Here is a breakdown of some of the many ways designers used floral patterns in their 2015 Resort Collections:

Thom Browne showed small, repetitive black-and-white floral motifs like White/Black Floral Lawn in sophisticated styles like cardigan sets, high-waisted A-line skirts, suits, button-up dress shirts and sheath dresses.

Valentino displayed aratherutilitarian collection (an anomaly for typical resort collections), showcasing pieces like canvas bomber jackets, midi skirts and sensible espadrille sandals. The use of large, colorful floral patterns like Black/Pink Floral Chiffon, Black/Purple Floral Chiffon and Gold Floral Georgette added a whimsical element to the more feminine styles in the designer’s everyday themed collection.

Giambattista Valli took a nostalgic route with his resort collection this year. With a nod to the flower power children of the era, Valli used small floral prints to ornament his 60s and 70s-style looks in a palette of yellow, lavender, pink and white. From bell-bottom pants with a small floral pattern like Brown/Yellow Floral Lawn to cocktail dresses in lace floral like Blue Floral Lace, the collection emanated a fun, playful attitude.

From short shorts to full-length, elegant ball gowns, Andrew GN incorporated colorful, pretty floral patterns on the various designs of his very feminine collection. Larger-scale patterns like Navy Blue Floral Lawn appeared on sophisticated red carpet-style gowns while brightly colored, medium-sized prints like Black/Pink Floral Georgette adorned the sportier designs like matching shorts and jacket sets.

Floral prints showed their romantic side in luxe beachwear designer, Nicky Zimmerman’s 2015 Resort Collection. In breezy, structured, openwork lattice lace and crocheted dresses, floral designs like Light Brown Floral Lawn, Beige Floral Lawn and Brown/Coral Floral Lawn were used to add an element of color, texture and romance to the already sexy designs.

From outerwear, to accessories, to footwear, military-inspired styles and prints have a major influence on modern day fashions. This summer, the ever-popular camouflage fabric design maintains its spot in the limelight as a trending print, particularly in neutral and earthy tones. The classic camouflage print and the more modern pixelated digital camouflage print are giving feminine designs a hardened edge in this summer’s women’s wear collections, in fabrics that range from durable twills to lightweight, slinky charmeuse.

Skinny continues to reign as the king of jean styles for women, and this summer, colored and printed skinny jeans are all the rage. Durable, yet comfortable and breathable twill cotton blends with a slight stretch are a great option for summer jeans. For easy pairing, opt for a neutral color scheme like Tan Camouflage Twill (97% cotton, 3% lycra), which has a slightly brushed, soft surface.

Summer is all about enjoying and basking in the beauty of the outdoors, so a rugged pair of shorts is essential to any adventurous girl’s wardrobe. A super durable, 100% cotton twill like the Green Camouflage Twill for a pair of shorts like these Dani Love cut-offs, guarantee the shorts will keep their shape and resist tearing after multiple wears, washes, and spontaneous summer adventures.

Taslan, known as a “parachute type fabric,” is durable, water repellant, lightweight and breathable, making it a perfect material for outer garments worn in warmer weather. Given its military origins, it should come at no surprise that the fabric is popular in the camouflage print variety. This summer, the newer digital camouflage print like Taslan All Purpose Camo #7 (85% nylon, 15% cotton) and Taslan All Purpose Camo #8 (85% nylon, 15% cotton) is popular in women’s jackets like this bomber from The Ragged Priest.

Camouflage also takes on a softer side this summer, embellishing flowing skirts, slim-fitting summer dresses and slinky, sexy blouses. Short, flirty skirts are popular in lightweight cotton blends like Camo Print Bolt (65% polyester, 35% cotton), this mixture of a feminine style and an edgy print creates a super chic and modern look.

The classic jersey knit summer dress gets a modern makeover this summer with the addition of neutral camouflage prints like the lightweight, super soft Taupe/Black Camo Jersey Knit (100% cotton). Unlike solid colored jersey knit dresses that can sometimes hug in the wrong places, the camouflage print adds a flattering element for a woman of any size.

With a hint of a sheen and a flirty, flowing drape, a camouflage print satin charmeuse fabric like True Timber Conceal Satin Bolt (100% polyester) has a modern edge that gives a hint of attitude to an otherwise soft and girly blouse style.

Men’s and women’s wear collections have a lot in common this spring and summer. Not only do they share many of the same trending colors, but they also have many of the same print trends in common. Three prints in particular have been found to be universally trending for both the men’s and women’s wear sectors: floral motifs, animal prints, and geometric patterns.

1. Floral

Floral motif, in both small and large design, is the number one trending print this spring/summer for both men and women. For women, floral patterns will be seen in strong stretch fabrics for leggings and pants and also in more lightweight cottons and synthetics for blouses and dresses. Flowing, draping slip dresses will be made in soft, lightweight cotton floral fabrics like the Mustard Yellow Floral Gauze and also rayon fabrics like the Black/Beige Floral Challis and Black/White Floral Challis. Floral patterns will be seen ornamenting the twill shorts of dapper men this spring/summer. 100% silk floral fabrics like the Ivory/Brown Silk Shirtingwill make an appearance in short sleeved camp shirts, Hawaiian shirts, polos and other short-sleeved men’s button-ups.

2. Animal Print

In women’s wear, snakeskin, zebra, tiger, alligator and giraffe patterns are catching up to their leopard and cheetah print craze predecessors. Lightweight polyester knits like Grey Snakeskin Jersey Knit and Brown Snakeskin Jersey Knit are going to be used for easy care, comfortable summer dresses. Animal prints will continue to appear in women’s skinny jeans in fabrics like Brown Snakeskin Stretch Canvas and Brown Snakeskin Stretch Twill and denim. Leopard print, snakeskin and alligator crepe (like Tan/White Voile Shirting) blouses, zebra and tiger print cotton shirting and giraffe printed accessories will also be popular. The leopard print obsession that usurped the women’s wear sphere seasons ago (or was it years?) is making its entrance as a full-fledged trend in the menswear arena.Men’s accessories like briefcases, bags, shoes, ties and tech cases will be ornamented with accents of leopard, snakeskin and giraffe prints this season. Cotton T-shirts and jersey tanks will be made in varying leopard print designs from more natural prints like the Brown/Black Leopard Jersey Knit to more stylized versions with pops of bold color like Tan/Blue Leopard Jersey Knit.

3. Geometric

Repetitive, colorful geometric designs are present in both men’s and women’s wear this spring/summer, but they each have their own twist. For women, the geometric patterns are reminiscent of the psychedelic-retro zeitgeist of the 1960s, perhaps a stylistic homage to TV show Mad Men. Symmetrical and balanced designs like Black/Orange Geometric Jersey Stretch Knit and Black/Blue Geometric Jersey Stretch Knit in slinky, body-hugging maxi and mini dresses and skirts will be prevalent. For men, geometric patterns are bright, colorful and symmetrical, and take design elements from Native American and desert prints. These prints will be present mostly in short and long-sleeved T-shirts and tanks of lightweight fabrics like 100% rayon Aqua Green/Black Jersey Knit.

In anticipation of the nearing summer season, we’re dreaming of shedding the heavy, protective winter garb for cool, light weight materials that let us embrace the gorgeous weather elements.

Here are four cool, lightweight, easy to care summer fabrics that are perfect to use in summer collections:

Linen Fabrics

One of the most comfortable fabrics to wear in the summer, linen is an extremely breathable, natural fabric that absorbs moisture readily and keeps heat away from the body – keeping the wearer cool and dry. Linen fabrics are made of plant fiber, specifically a bast fiber called flax, which makes it very strong (even stronger than cotton!) and gives it a subtle luster. Linen fabric is very soft and cool and is also quite durable. Linen is perfect for daytime wear, men’s and women’s summer suits, shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses, and beach attire.

Seersucker Fabrics

A classic American summer fabric, seersucker fabric is a puckered, striped (usually white and blue), lightweight cotton fabric that is great for summer because the irregular structure keeps the fabric off the skin. The crinkled look (obtained by having one warp yarn tighter than the others) rids the need for ironing, making it the perfect travel material. The very thin vertical stripes of the seersucker weave are always made of one white and one colored stripe – pastels have been popular lately. Seersucker is generally found in men’s slacks, shorts, jackets and suits but has also made its way to women’s shorts, skirts and suits as well.

Chambray Fabrics

The lightweight cousin of denim, chambray fabric is made with colored warp yarns and white filling yarns in a plain weave construction making it durable, but not heavy. Usually woven from cotton or linen but sometimes also silk, synthetic fibers or blends, chambray is a popular, casual summer fabric often used in men’s shirts, tops, pants and shorts, women’s dresses, tops and skirts.

Eyelet Fabrics

The light and airy cotton of eyelet fabric is a girl’s best friend on the hottest, stickiest days of summer. The super breathable cotton fabric is so thin it is practically transparent, and the decorative eyelet holes keeps a constant flow of air circulation, giving a near feeling of wearing nothing at all. Eyelet is perfect for beach cover-ups, as it dries almost immediately and is often used in summer dresses, tops, skirts and even shorts.

An eclectic mix of elements will be seen meshing together in the outfits of the fashion conscious this summer. Lace overlays, sheer cutouts, pale pastels, a mini ‘90s revival, athletic aesthetics, floral patterns and iridescent fabrics were among the most trending features reported by the top fashion intelligence experts. Five clear dress styles are sure to become summer wardrobe staples, encompassing trending elements in a wide variety of breathable fabrics from romantic flowing silks to sporty jersey knits. FFC has been diligently researching and investigating the market to bring you this extensive breakdown of the top five essential dress styles for summer 2014.

1. The Menswear Inspired Shirtdress

The comfortable and versatile shirtdress is by far the number one top trending dress style for summer 2014. In lengths ranging from maxi to mini, the traditional shirtdress will be seen in pastel shirting fabrics like Raspberry Pink Chambray and all-white cottons like White Broadcloth. More formal versions will be made of elegant, slinky fabrics like Chambray Blue Slinky and Dusty Blue Crepe Sweater Knit Floral and geometric prints like the Blue Block Polyester Charmeuse will also be major themes in this particular dress style.

2. The Sexy Pencil Skirt

Pencil skirts that land just above to knee to calf-length are a big summer must-have. The body-hugging silhouette will be seen with lace overlays from bright red stretch lace, to pastels like Pink Peach Stretch Lace, Dark Blush Pink Lace, and Cream Stretch Lace Pencil skirts will also be made of light-weight jersey knits made of polyester/spandex or cotton/spandex blends for an exaggerated form-fitting look with this summer’s trending prints like animal print motifs: grey/black snakeskin jersey knit, Grey Snakeskin Jersey Knit, Grey Cheetah Jersey Knit, Grey/Purple Cheetah Jersey Knit, and tribal prints White/Orange Aztec Jersey Knit and Beige Aztec Stripe Jersey Knit. Pencil skirts with black stretch mesh
cutouts are also popular, adding an extra hint of sex appeal to the already sexy silhouette.

3. The Slinky Slip Dress

A staple of the ‘90s wardrobe, the slip dress is making a revival this summer in iridescent silks and metallic sheens like Violet Purple Shimmer and Pale Yellow Iridescent Silk Organza The slip dress, in various flowing fabrics of silk, blends and slinky synthetics like rayon, will also feature some of summer’s trending elements like floral prints – Black/White Floral Challis, Black Floral Challis, Ivory Floral Silk Chiffon, pastels – Blush Pink Crepe, Peach Silk Crepe de Chine, Baby Blue Crinkled Silk Chiffon, Pink/Blue Silk Crepe de Chine, Salmon Pink Satin Charmeuse, and bright pinks – Lipstick Pink Crepe

4. The Sporty Jersey Dress

A casual, athletic aesthetic is a major summer trend, and in terms of dresses this translates into sleeveless sheath styles in lightweight cotton/lycra jersey knits like Black Jersey Knit especially with thigh-high side slits.

The “athletic luxe” trend also brought the return of the super comfortable sweatshirt dress in thicker, yet soft and breathable, 100% cotton jersey knits like the Charcoal Grey Jersey Knit The sweatshirt dress will be seen in mini skirt lengths with short, three-quarter length, or long sleeves.

5. The Flirty Full Skirt

In lengths ranging from maxi to mini, full skirts will be seen flouncing around the legs of style mavens this summer in a wide range of shapes. The summer 2014 version of full skirts will be made in structured, A-line shapes with Black Tulle underlays, and also flowing styles with sheer overlays like accordion pleated Black Chiffon, black rosette tulle, and black floral lace
.

Spring 2014 is about transformative clothes. It’s about boiling down everything that was on the runways to the one thing (or 75-plus things) to buy next season that will instantly update a look. And the statements are simple: Try a longer skirt, one that hits midcalf or the upper ankle. Feel the power of flowers, whether they’re rendered as South American embroideries or giant South Pacific hibiscus. Take cues from your favorite gallery and wear something artful. This season, there is fashion for every personality.

To view the the slideshow, click here

On Thursday, February 6th, Pantone published its Fashion Color Report Fall 2014 just as New York Fashion Week got underway.

To produce this semi-annual report, Pantone begins well before Fashion Week, interviewing today’s top fashion designers to find out what colors are on their minds, on their drawing tables and on their radar for next season. The Fashion Color Report hits the streets just as the fall collections hit the runaways, to give fashion fans in-depth insights into the color selections they are seeing in the shows.

Below is a roundup of some of the blog posts and features stories that covered the report’s colors palettes, designs and designers. You can also see the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Fall 2014 here.

Women’s Wear Daily, Rosemary Feitelberg

“Both sexes are breaking free from traditional autumnal hues in favor of more unexpected ones. The exotic red Sangria, the more sophisticated Aurora Red and the more adaptable Radiant Orchid ranked first, second and third, respectively, for both sexes. The only point of dispute was fourth place, with women banking on Mauve Mist (thanks perhaps to the ladies of “Downton Abbey”) and men opting for the slightly grayer Sea Fog.”
Read More

Huffington Post, Jamie Feldman

“Pantone announced its top 10 fall 2014 colors Thursday morning, and they are equally as bold for men as they are for women. It looks like designers are breaking away from gender specific colors more than ever and having a bit more fun with their collections. The reason behind this playful shift could be the fact that designers want their clothing to be perceived more like pieces of art.” Read More

Refinery 29, Gina Marinelli

“… As pointed out by Pantone, ladies and fellas have found common ground in their shared appreciation of colors. To be more specific, it’s sangria. Again, we’re talking about the shade. The deep purple-red hue is the most popular one used in the fall ’14 collections by men and women designers. And, as WWD points out, this means something greater than men and women dressing in a matchy-matchy fashion.” Read More

Vogue Australia

“Break away from black and embrace Pantone’s top ten colours for the cooler months.” See a Slideshow

Today, Eun Kyung Kim

“The shift away from gender-specific colors will have people seeing shades of crimson this autumn, including the bold Aurora Red, which Pantone said “adds a sophisticated spark to any winter wardrobe” to the more purple-infused Sangria, “an exotic red that evokes a sense of glamorous adventures.” Read More

Fed Scoop, Patra Wroten

“Make room in your closet for hints of Sea Fog, Sangria and Mauve Mist. Or, if you don’t speak Pantone, the color purple is going to be really popular this fall. Just in time for New York Fashion Week, the world leaders of chromo released its 2014 list of hot hues. Shades fall under the stem of Radiant Orchid — the 2014 Color of the Year — varying in tones of violet and red, with a dash of warm yellow for good measure.” Read More

The original blog post was written by PANTONE.

New York Fashion Week has arrived yet again, and with it comes some serious sewing inspiration. From new silhouettes to fun textures, I’ve rounded up the top seven runway trends to keep in mind when picking out fabric for your next creation.

1. Rounded Shoulders. In the world of posture, this is something to be avoided, but the term has taken on a whole new meaning with the new shapes of coats these past few seasons. Get creative with a Kimono vibe or try something ultra-minimal.
2. Robe Coats. This look is as comfortable as it is chic—in other words, it’s a win-win. Pick out a plush wool to pull off this look. And the best part? No closure necessary with a tie belt.
3. Touchable Textures. Designers this season lined the runways with layered looks in a variety of weights and surfaces. To give extra depth to a design, try a rich boucle or nubby tweed.
4. Bright two-tones. Whether it’s a silky dress or a warm topper, don’t forget to have fun with linings. Bright contrasting colors were a big hit this season.
5. Velvet. If you have a fancy fete at your fingertips, I’d recommend you take a cruise through the velvet department because the glamorous textile has slinked down the catwalk several times.
6. Trousers. Power pants are back! Make some bold boxy capris or narrow cigarette pants. Don’t be afraid to try some high-waists and standout pleats for a twist on office wear.
7. Printastic. While many labels veered in the direction of luxe neutrals, the rest fearlessly dove into print fabric. The rule? The bolder the better with graphic maxi-dresses and matchy-matchy pantsuits.

With all those Christmas proposals finally sinking in, it’s time to really start planning that spring, summer or fall wedding! And, of course, it’s never too early to take care of the most important part of the occasion: the dress.
Whether you’re making a custom gown for yourself or a loved one, it’s time to pore over the best bridal fabrics and some seriously lovely inspiration. I rounded up what are sure to be the three biggest trends of the season for your consideration.

Trend #1: Fishtail Finishes

The high-low hem is an elegant way to show off that footwear—or lack thereof, if the big day happens to be barefoot on a sandy beach. The trick? Your finishing touches have to be as lovely on the inside as they do on the outside. Take a look back at this French seam tutorial for an easy refresher course!

Trend #2: Off-the-Shoulder

Shoulder exposure is huge for wedding and cocktail attire this year. It’s delicate and dreamy and would work just as well in satin as it does in chiffon. Get creative and make the design organic with one strap falling deeper than the other.

Trend #3: Floating Fabric

Structured ruffles are artistic yet classically feminine elements to add to any dress. I particularly adored this ruched Reem Acra number. The airy layers look complex but are easy to recreate with light sheer fabric and a stiff ribbon binding trim. The results are heavenly!

So how will you use bridal fabric this wedding season?

Believe it or not, fashion is all about plaid fabric right now. From lumberjack flannel to ladylike checkers, street stylers and red carpet walkers alike are eating it up. So guess what, I’m going to supply you with the easiest ways to infuse the trend into your wardrobe (with a little help from your sewing machine, of course).

Easy Accessory Design Ideas:

1) A scarf. It doesn’t get any simpler than a neckwarmer for sewing. Choose a plaid fleece fabric for a quick no-sew project. Just buy a couple yards and cut them into strips to keep all those on your shopping list cozy. A once-around stay stitch will give a cool effect to fray-happy fabrics.

2) A hair bow. This is so girly you could make it for your niece or put it in your hair for a retro kick next time you wear your favorite sheath. Pick any pattern you like and utilize that fray check.

3) A beanie. Find the stretchiest of plaid to make a quick (and warm!) slouchy hat for snow play days.

Easy Dress Design Ideas:

1) A plaid shift. It sounds obvious, but to keep the sewing of plaid simple, opt for simple shapes like a boxy shift dress. Seams will be a breeze to match without risking a jarring uneven lineup at your side. Plus, it’s very mod and can be easily belted to show your figure.

2) Want a tighter fit? Nip it at the waist and finish with an A-line flare.

3) Make a shirtdress. Grab a T-shirt from your drawer and base your design off of it, merely lengthen the pattern to create this laid-back easy to replicate vibe.

Coats (my favorite!) may seem daunting, but there are just three rules to follow to streamline your design:

1) Choose boxy fits—another big trend right now!

2) Go collarless. We all know what a headache collars are to construct, right?

3) Forgo hardware or closures. Waterfall necklines sans buttons are so chic! And you can always add a belt for windy days. Just be sure to choose a plaid that’s as beautiful on the inside as it is on the out.

So how are you going to join the plaid fabric trend this season?

With the ’90s revival in full force, it shouldn’t surprise you that denim fabrics are everywhere right now. And I’m not just talking blue jeans! From chambray button-ups to shirtdresses and skirts, the heavy-duty fabric is actually quite versatile. While we all tremble in horror at the memory of Justin and Britney’s matching denim suits, there is a way to get design-happy with the on-trend fabric while not going overboard.

Here are some tips that promise chic results with denim fabrics:

1. Go for simple silhouettes.

This T-shirt dress from TopShop is a prime example, not to mention it’s so very Alexa Chung in its street style savvy. Plus, how easy would this be to sew? You’d hardly need a pattern.

2. Remember, little details go a long way.

Check out the simple ruffle on this ASOS dress. It’s minimal while making a big impact due to the weight of the textile. In other words, there’s no need to get intricate, pick a focal point and try pleats, pintucks, or gathers for standout results.

3. Don’t forget, denim can be delicate.

This fitted Modcloth top demonstrates just that all while sticking to the aforementioned rules. There’s nothing heavy about it, it’s flirty and feminine.

4. You don’t have to stick to plain blue.

Denim comes in fun prints like this Shop Ruche dress, it can be bright red or pastel pink, bleached or stonewashed black.

5. Try unconventional designs.

Jeans and jean jackets might be your first instinct, but they’re a dime a dozen in stores and a huge constructional feat. Think outside the box with sweet circle skirts, or even nostalgic pinafores (remember what I said about that whole ‘90s thing?).

6. Use denim accent pieces.

Sleeves, pockets, collars and cuffs can all be made to contrast your main fabric. This cashmere sweater joins soft with structured in one of the most unique ways possible.

What do you think, will you be infusing denim into your future creations?

We’ve all seen it, animal print fabric can range from frightfully tacky to amazingly stylish. So what are the defining elements of success? How do we avoid Snooki and shoot for Heidi Klum? And how do we implement this into our next creations?

There are three rules for success: classy cuts, classy lengths and classy fits. Leopard print takes on a whole new personality when it’s in the form of a tight body-con dress versus a sleek sheath.

Here are five key things to keep in mind:

1. For dresses or skirts, choose patterns with hemlines no shorter than a few inches above the knee.
2. If you pick a stretchy fabric, allow some extra comfort room to avoid any cling.
3. Opt for sleeves—either cap, ¾ length, or full will make your dress or top office-to-cocktail appropriate.
4. Try draping! Elegantly draped, pleated or layered fabric automatically has a high-end feel.
5. Keep accessories in mind. Belts, statement necklaces, embellished purses and even tights have the power to up the style ante.

Here are some examples of supremely elegant animal print fabric in stores now:

So what’s the verdict, are you going to give the wild trend a go?