ashes

A glimmer of sunshine... A little forward glance for Summer 15

As we wave goodbye to our bikinis and panamas and make room in our wardrobes for the inevitable take-over by cardigans and sweaters, I can only but try and keep your spirits up with a little taster for next Summer...

Summer 15 screams texture.  Yes, the explosion of print-on-print is still there but the battle of contrasting textures should be your focus for next season.  Think lace on leather, sheer on shine, pretty much anything goes!  It's about combining embroideries with pleats, dobby fabrics and jacquards, tassels and fringing; no rules reign.

Be bold this season with one of my favourite stories… this eclectic theme is what I called Jambo.

It means “hello” in Swahili and it is just that… you screaming to the world, “HELLO!  HERE I AM!”

African and tribal prints are prominent and spicy tones underline this theme.  But don’t hesitate to add pops of chartreuses and cerises to clash-up this mash-up.  Most of all, have fun with it.  This is your ticket to get noticed in the trendiest way yet.

The ever perennial tide of nautcial trends… inevitable right?  Not too fast!  This season  takes on a new version of this theme utilizing bold corals and corn-flower blues, all on clean, white foundations.

Unleash your 70s, boho queen and let her free!  Maxi skirts and floaty silhouettes, this is your time to be feminine and wonderful.  This theme is a great way to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring...

Blue and white jacquards, organza sheer stripes and metallic hardware keeping it fresh albeit in the air!

It’s high summer and there's no better way to say it than with bright tropical prints and fantastical colour.

It’s a colour fiesta, just remember to keep your palettes saturated and anything will work.  My range ended up being layered with graphic geometrics and strong monochromatics and it looked really fresh and exciting.  So don’t hold back!  As long as your black and whites remain strong and your brights remain clean, you’re on your way to blooming your way through this one.

Playing with some crepe textures and lazer cut-outs...

For the glamourous among us, this is the perfect dressy exhibition!  Pastel palettes get a complete make-over with lace and metallic details, undercurrents of animal and tropical prints, and much more than 50 shades of grey.

Sheer shirt, leather culottes and lace bralette

For the missing...

Work it Baby, work it

This Spring is all about roughing it and right now that means rocking the season's newest fad... The overalls.

An obvious onset from the inescapable 90s revival upon us, dungarees littered S/S ranges.  From Ralph Lauren to L.A.M.B. (I can only imagine Gwen Stefani is in her element) the catwalks just oozed downtown cool.



Cynthia Steffe



White out at Steven Alan



Ralph Lauren

I have been obsessed with this look since Miss Chung slapped on her denim version and made them look effortlessly chic.  Yes one must confess her stick pins probably help, but I think it's a great laid-back look for summer.

Alexa on trend as per usual





Other celebs rocking the trend

To ensure you don't look like you're just busy painting your lounge, give your overalls a bit of a nod to mod by teaming them with a crop top or box tee or sport the pinafore dress, too cute with high-tops for some street cred.  The glam version is definitely out there too, as seen at Altuzarra.

I love Jean Paul Gautier’s thoughts on this trend:

"I've always loved overalls because they are a uniform.  And being true to myself, I love making something different out of them- cutting them in Levi's denim but with a conical bra.  I love to subvert a classic."

Common children of the 90s, I know you all have an Oshkosh pair lying around in your cupboards!  I'm totally embracing this one.



My dunga dress

Pairing my full-lengths with lace for Summer

 

Check out this cutie I spotted at my local coffee spot, Motherland Coffee Co.