Nature, Retro-style, Ethnic Jump on Fabrics

Nature, Retro-style, Ethnic Jump on Fabrics October 18, 2007

Posted by wenbi in : Fashion , trackback

ttnet.net - [2007/01/04]

Somewhat weary of too opulent luxury, consumers shy away from all the loud colors and the glitter trends of the last few seasons. We see more subdued looks in 2007, full of natural colors, animal prints, retro-styles and ethnic themes. The summon of nature draws people getting close to it and see natural beauty as it comes. People not only see a heaven in a wild flower, but in an inset, an animal, a mineral and even a stone. These natural creations tickle our inspiration to create exciting new waves for fashion textiles.
The romantic aesthetics in fashion also includes ultra-feminine silhouettes and makes apparels full of excessive shapes and styles such as the A-lines, the strapless poufs, shifts, columns and trapeze shapes. The shift spurs our needs for the materials used to render continuous elegance, feminine looks and poetic style.
The up-and-coming apparels will be less opulent but more functional, comfortable and oversized. We start to yearn for those “good old days” at the 1950s and 80s, the times when everything was simpler, yet sweeter and more enjoyable. Retro-style classic harmonizes with contemporary materials in a pure, simple and joyful way. Some have a vintage look yet are also renewed with a touch of craft and art.
Here come the echoes of folk and ethnics of several countries. The images of folk remind us of country life in large castles and in mansions surrounded by wide land. Ethnic themes abound with exotic beauty and romance. Oriental dressing is typically characterized with coats, jackets, evening pants and dresses, made of fabric filled with the embroidery, print or damask weave of exotic birds, feathers, chrysanthemum blooms, luscious peony forms, leaves and heraldic forms.

Color Accents
Black and white is just right for spring. All shades of blue ranging from icy blue to peacock blues and teals are for summer. And warm earthen tones, gold, red and viola colors are the choices for fall and winter seasons. Bright colors are still welcomed, especially when accentuated by bright shots of color. White continues to be a popular color, especially as paired with black or splashes of color. Lime, yellow, purple, cobalt blue and light blue are more often used on dresses. Deep warm, tone-in-tone colors usually alternate with strong color accents. Growing popular are earthy tones with sun dried rich ochre, sandy light and dark, warm and cool neutrals, naturals and skin tones; humid blue ocean and frosty colors. Pink is still around, yet it is either warmer becoming more coral or watermelon toned. Unusual hues from blue-gray to golden taupe to earthy red give a light of mystery. Retro style leads to the inspiration translated into essential basic colors, grays, taupe, and black & white together with clear color accents.

Patterns & Prints
Ethnic theme is seen on those prints with raw edges, tropical vegetation and exotic birds such as toucans and parrots. The love for nature also incurs a passion for animal prints such as leopard, cheetah motives. However, pattern combined with prints such as spots with chevrons compete with animal prints. The love of animal print has not abated with animal print trench coats, animal print shoes and cuffs. Retro prints, usually abstract imagery, come in multiple design motifs, making print fabric a geometric quality. The oversized floral textiles around have the effects seen in impressionist qualities. A pointillist approach enables overblown flower prints exotic and fantasy like. New classic with comfort features graphic form details.

Fabric Focuses
Yarns are becoming more rustic, yet having a lightweight looking in autumn/ winter fashion. For a more feminine spirit, silk is treated in a sophisticated, even extravagant manner. Rich satins in the jewel tones are the fresh fashion fabric trend for autumn. For spring and summer seasons, clean qualities of poplins, crêpes and denim are in wool, linen, cotton and blends. One of the strongest textural uses of yarn is definitely the revival of the cable knit pattern. Light, natural, refined materials such as cotton, summer wool and linen are in pure or mixed versions. Layering and blending of textures are moved up to a new art form with the use of organza, gorgeous feather-light knits and gossamer chiffons. All played a hand in giving clothes a sumptuous, light touch.
Cottons are important, yet are often combined with nylon or polyester, for a touch of modernity. Cotton and linen are reinforced in a fresh, slightly rustic mood. Clean qualities of canvas, gabardine, denim and poplin for fresh cotton hands. Canvas is captivated by new whimsical prints of flowers, dots and stripes. The dry, rougher looking fabrics yet in skin-friendly qualities are made by blending with natural fibers such as linen and jute, straw and raffia in sophisticated technology. Lace theme sticks to the hole like meshes, crochet and macramé. Lace, crochet and embroidery render clothes with romantic expression and, meanwhile, a modern feeling.
Denim is ever popular, pared with in every style. Washed jeans have passed in favor of denim jeans that look like a brand-new one. Plaid fabrics are strongly bold in larger than usual scale in black and white. Surprising bursts of color mean there will be red tartans which par well in taffetas. Taffeta textiles are used to create flamenco ruffles. Fabrics made from earth-friendly materials, especially in bamboo, are gaining interests from eco-conscious customers.