SS12 Trends; Feminine Wilds

Spring is here, and where have I been you ask? Well simply resting my eyes; it's been a long time coming that I need to get myself some reading or should I say 'computing' glasses thus explains my recent absence. But on with the post I go-YES spring is here not only in store but the weather too.

September's spring summer shows, was alight with models whimsically walking or in the case of Louis Vuitton being prettily perched on a carousel round the catwalk. Editors and buyers sat and feasted upon the front row with designers like Meadham Kirchhoff serving up lashes of sugar and spice, then it was a gelato party all over the shows with garments in ice cream shades-no-one went home disappointed. 

What has so far been one of my favorite trends to emerge into stores is the 'Feminine Wilds'. Full of prints in bloom from gardena's to posies, it's all about being ultra femme. Think powerpuff girls but doused in the likes of Nina Ricci and Chanel.  Besides the obvious florals and pretty colours, designers have really experimented with fabrics and texture allowing the customer to choose for themselves just how 'uber femme' they want to be.  It's true that some of us would run a mile from the thought of looking like a stepford wife let alone choosing to dress like one -but this season it's all about expressing the REAL woman in you. 

With my shoot that I had planned cancelled last minute, I decided to call upon the ultimate model pack and fashonista's to show you 'Feminine Wilds-in three ways' , ladies and gents I give you 'Karen (circa 97), Naomi (circa 00), and Alexa (circa 98). The three surviving Barbies from my vintage collection...enjoy!

Karen doing the Minimal but feminine look.
Simple pieces in bright shades with blocked accessories keeps this look fresh and modern. 

Naomi is our Girl gone wild.
Clashing and mixing is what this look is all about, layering printed pieces like crop tops is what will take you through the day. 

Alexa is Ultra femme
Go all out in pastel pinks, lilacs and baby blue, plain white trainers and a fur stole with neon sunglasses give it that extra edge.

Images; style.com, zara.com, google.com
Barbie pictures photographed and style by Purple Tweed (me :-)

SS11 Fav show 2; Cynthia Rowley

Cynthia Rowley is one of the few designers whose style is not so obvious; she's not quite American but not really European either, she's sort of in-between; for every woman but only for a certain kind of woman if you get my drift. She caught my eye with her great attention to detail with the way she infused new techniques with her design ideas in the SS11 catwalks.  

Laser cutting is not quite new but it's considered a new technique as it isn't always featured in collections. Rowley used this in a smart way, by giving a chic modernisation to simple and sometimes overlooked parts of our garments like for example the hem.

A-line skirts were cleanly opened up with patterned polka cut-outs, whilst sheer layers of satin revealed playful stripes in a palette of minky and duck egg blue. She also paved the way for the AW11 trends with the revival of the shell top and bodice; mixing in stripy sleeves and contrasting collars. 

I'd say that her style is borderline clinical but she mixes this up with colour and texture producing clean lines with a feminine edge-something that is very difficult to deliver-and this is why a certain kind of woman would appreciate her clothes. 

I look forward to seeing what she has on offer for AW11 and with September around the corner SS12 too!

What are your views on her SS11 collection? x

Images courtesy of style.com