Sunnyside Up!

By Michele Kantra

In a world eager for renewal, these offerings will bring consumers many great reasons to buy. An optimistic upbeat mood, leaving behind a dark and brooding fall.

Print trends crossover categories with fabric trends in general, plus several additions.

1. Water World. Underwater inspiration…Large amount of water/ocean themes.

• Motifs: anemone, jellyfish, seahorse, coral, algae, tortoise shell, also X-ray looks…Fish skin and scale patterns seem an unattractive concept, but fish skin works as a new camouflage pattern.

• Think: MERMAID. Pearly iridescence, liquid distortions, mirror reflections, wet shine.

• Inky blue pallete. Watercolor effects using intense color…Oscillating shapes.

2. Natural theme. Several exhibitors offered beautiful sweater knit interpretations. Elaborate embellishment, beads, embroidery, shells…Faux leather laser-cut shapes of leaves and vines, used for ornamentation, attached in layers, moves with the wearer, like fringe. Open work pointelles, jacquards. Noteworthy: Caroline B. and Cast Creations.

3. Retro Vacation. Prints of vintage tropicals, 30s-40s feel: palm trees, exotic flowers, parrots. Postcard-look patterns, 60s mini-vans, picnics, gingham…Landscape patterns of city, country, beach, or poolside.

4.  Birds of a Feather. The proliferation of feather and bird prints is undeniable…Birds are the Spring ‘11 replacement for the python/reptile patterns… Parrots are of course a favorite, because of their beautiful colorings, but we observe feather patterns also in un-natural color combos. Actual feathers, as trims, color may be natural or dyed bright. Fits in perfectly with an upbeat, light-hearted, cheerful mood.

5. Natural/Artificial. Surrealism…Themes from nature, especially fruits, vegetables, flowers, used in new-age graphic ways…Pastel color story.

6. Sketchy Figuratives. Seductive Simplicity, charm, fresh 50s…Light-hearted themes, sketchy patterns, a little kitsch…Scribble prints, some comic-book inspiration…Bright palette with white & black.

7. Fragmented. Geometric theme from Fall ‘10 continues…Graphic patterns, optical effects, dynamic aesthetic…Geometrics broken up and pieced together, mimics look of broken mirror shards.

For more fabric and print trends…plus working drawings, fashion illustrations and more…check out Inside Fashion!  Spring ’11 fabric reports start in Feb 1-28, 2010 issue.  Or contact us at: subscribe@inside-fashion.net