FASHION UPDATE FOR SPRING / SUMMER 2011

CARNIVAL

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A GREAT LOOK FOR:

Dramatic & Dramatic Classic

For a striking, summery version of this look, focus on sleek structured styles, sophisticated oriental looks, and colourful spots and stripes.  Combine chic tailored jackets, lean shell tops and sexy bustiers with sleek pencil skirts, stiff gathered skirts, high-waisted wide leg trousers and sleek slip dresses.  Look out for stiff sculptural frills, bold colour-blocking, contrast panels, pipings and edgings, along with stunning combinations of baroque prints, polka dots, stripes and checks - all in large scale.  Create an oriental feel with boxy kimono jackets, asymmetric tunics, cropped pants, sculptural sheath dresses and cheongsam dresses, along with mandarin collars, extravagant tassels, angular oriental embroideries and eye-catching Chinoiserie prints.  Keep fabrics smooth, sheeny and shiny with stiff sateen weaves, glazed cottons, shimmery satins and drapy viscoses.  Complete your look with dramatic jewellery and large scale accessories with shiny trims, including wide obi belts, bold sashes, structured clutch bags and high heel strappy sandals.

Natural Dramatic & Dramatic Natural

For a relaxed, yet striking, version of this look focus on sleek denim styles, fluid voluminous pieces, exotic oriental looks, and colourful spots, stripes and checks.  Combine sharply tailored blazers, dark denim jackets, sexy bustiers and slinky shell tops with high-waisted wide leg trousers, narrow jeans, strict pencil skirts and swishy maxi skirts.  Look out for corset styling, lacing, stiff sculptural frills, bold colour-blocking, contrast panels, pipings and edgings, along with stunning combinations of baroque prints, spots, blurred stripes and checks – all in large scale.  Create an oriental feel with fluid kimono jackets, asymmetric tunics, sleek cropped pants, sculptural sheath dresses and cheongsam dresses, along with mandarin collars, extravagant tassels, oriental embroideries and eye-catching Chinoiserie prints.  Achieve mix of subtle textures with dark denims, washed canvas, crisp cottons, heavy jersey, slubby silks, drapy viscoses and silk tweeds.  Complete your look with dramatic jewellery and large scale accessories, in a mix of textures, including wide obi belts, bold sashes, structured clutch bags and high heel strappy sandals.

Classic

For an upmarket, sophisticated version of this look, focus on simple, classic styles, clean defined outlines, elegant oriental touches, and chic spots and stripes.  Combine sleek tailored jackets, lean shell tops and striped Breton tops with slim pencil skirts, immaculate wide leg trousers and simple shift dresses, adding stylish combinations of simple spots and stripes – all in medium scale.  Create an elegant oriental feel with understated kimono jackets, simple tunics, cropped pants and cheongsam dresses, along with mandarin collars, frogging fastenings, refined pipings, crisp contrast edgings, elegant oriental embroideries and medium scale Chinoiserie floral prints.  Keep fabrics smooth, matt and sheeny (and excellent quality), with sateen weaves, crisp cottons, silky crêpe de chines and drapy viscoses.  Complete your look with sleek simple jewellery and medium scale accessories, in sheeny expensive leathers, including Obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy sandals.

Natural Classic

For a relaxed, yet sophisticated version of this look focus on simple, structured pieces, fluid pared down separates, chic spots and stripes, elegant oriental touches and stylish ‘70s retro influences.  Combine fluid tailored jackets, slinky shell tops and striped Breton tops with pristine jeans, cropped narrow pants and sleek pencil skirts, adding polkas dots, woven or variegated stripes and gingham checks – all in medium scale.  Create an oriental flavour with understated kimono jackets, fluid tunics, floaty wide leg trousers, cheongsam dresses and sleek shirt dresses, along with mandarin collars, frogging fastenings, stylish oriental embroideries and medium scale Chinoiserie floral prints.  Also look out for ‘70s retro styles, simple smock tops, slinky halter neck dresses and floaty maxi frocks, that feature subtle draping, ruching, twists and frills, along with splashy floral prints in medium scale.  Achieve a subtle mix of textures with designer denims, canvas, cotton poplin, cotton jersey, silky crepe de chines, drapy viscoses and silk tweeds.  Complete your look with stylish organic jewellery and medium scale accessories, in a mix of textures, including wide obi belts, clutch bags, strappy sandals and stylish espadrilles.

Natural

For a relaxed, summery version of this look focus on simple casual styles, easy unstructured separates, nautical stripes, languid oriental touches and feminine 70s retro influences.  Combine fluid boyfriend blazers, simple T-shirts, striped Breton tops and slinky vest tops with jeans, cropped pants, wide leg trousers and gathered skirts; adding medium scale polka dots, woven stripes, variegated stripes and gingham checks.  Create an oriental mood with relaxed kimono jackets, fluid unstructured tunics, drawstring pyjama pants, cheongsam dresses and simple shirt dresses, along with kimono styling, mandarin collars, chunky frogging fastenings, tassels, oriental embroideries and Chinoiserie floral prints – all in medium scale.  Look out for ‘70s retro styles, smock tops, floaty long line skirts, slinky halter neck dresses and flowing maxi frocks, that feature simple draping, ruching, gathers, lacing and frills, along with splashy floral prints in medium scale.  Achieve a mix of natural textures with silk tweeds, washed canvas, denims, crunchy cottons, slubby silks, heavy jersey, rib knits and drapy viscoses.  Complete your look with natural organic jewellery and medium scale accessories in a mix of textures, including floppy straw hats, wide Obi belts, raffia bags and stylish espadrilles.

Dramatic Gamine & Gamine Dramatic

For a chic, striking version of this look, focus on sleek snappy separates, defined silhouettes, eye-catching oriental touches, and colourful spots and stripes.  Combine stylish cropped jackets, natty boyfriend blazers, striped Breton tops, cheeky bustiers and fitted shell tops with skinny trousers, sleek pencil skirts and crisp gathered skirts.  Look out for bold contrast edgings, precise pleat details, crisp frill trims, lacing and funky floral appliqués, along with jaunty combinations of baroque prints, polka dots, crisp gingham checks and stripes - in small/large scale.  Create an oriental feel with sleek ‘Chinese’ jackets, asymmetric tunics, cropped pants and slim cheongsam dresses, that feature mandarin collars, contrast pipings, frogging fastenings and funky tassels, along with angular oriental embroideries, geometric Chinoiserie prints and crisp cherry blossom designs.  Keep fabrics smooth, sheeny and shiny with stiff sateen weaves, glazed cottons, sleek cotton jersey and shimmery satins.  Complete your look with kitsch jewellery and sleek accessories in small/large scale, including oriental floral corsages, obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy sandals.

Gamine & Classic Gamine

For a fresh, cheeky version of this look focus on neat structured styles, snappy tailored pieces, chic oriental touches, and colourful spots and stripes.  Combine cute cropped jackets, neat boyfriend blazers, striped Breton tops, bustiers and fitted shell tops with skinny trousers, sleek pencil skirts and crisp gathered skirts. Look out for contrast edgings, pleat details, crisp frill trims, lacing and funky floral appliqués, along with jaunty combinations of small scale polka dots, crisp gingham checks and narrow stripes.  Create an oriental flavour with neat ‘Chinese’ jackets, sleek tunic tops, cropped pants, slim cheongsam dresses and simple shift dresses, that feature mandarin collars, delicate pipings, frogging fastenings and silky tassels, along with dainty oriental embroideries, small scale Chinoiserie prints and cherry blossom designs. Keep fabrics smooth, sheeny and matt with sateen weaves, crisp cottons, cotton jersey and silky crêpe de chines.  Complete your look with cute jewellery and small scale snappy accessories, including oriental floral corsages, neat obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy sandals.

Natural Gamine

For a fun, sporty version of this look focus on neat casual styles, snappy separates, chic oriental touches, and colourful spots and stripes.  Combine cute cropped jackets, neat boyfriend blazers, striped Breton tops, bustiers and slinky shell tops with skinny jeans, narrow trousers, slim pencil skirts and crisp gathered skirts.  Look out for sporty twin-needling, contrast edgings, pleat details, crisp frill trims, lacing and funky floral appliqués, along with jaunty combinations of small scale polka dots, gingham checks and narrow woven stripes.  Create an oriental flavour with neat ‘Chinese’ jackets, fitted tunic tops, cropped pants, slim cheongsam dresses and simple shift dresses that feature mandarin collars, delicate pipings, frogging fastenings and funky tassels, along with dainty oriental embroideries, precise Chinoiserie prints and cherry blossom designs – in small/medium scale.  Achieve a mix of dainty natural textures with washed canvas, lightweight denim, crisp cottons, cotton jersey, slubby silks, rib knits and silk tweeds.  Complete your look with cute jewellery and fun small/medium scale accessories, in a mix of textures, including oriental floral corsages, neat obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy sandals.

Ingénue Gamine

For a chic, feminine version of this look focus on pretty structured pieces, neat snappy styles, elegant oriental touches, and colourful spots and stripes. Combine cute cropped jackets, neat puff sleeve blazers, striped Breton tops, bustiers, frilly shirts and dainty shell tops with narrow trousers, sleek pencil skirts and crisp gathered skirts.  Look out for narrow bound edgings, crisp frill trims, pin-tucks, lacing and funky floral appliqués, along with jaunty combinations of small scale polka dots, crisp gingham checks and narrow stripes.  Create an oriental flavour with delicate ‘Chinese’ jackets, fitted tunic tops, cropped pants, slim cheongsam dresses and chic shift dresses, that feature mandarin collars, delicate pipings, ornate frogging fastenings and silky tassels, along with dainty oriental embroideries, Chinoiserie prints and crisp cherry blossom designs – all in small scale.  Keep fabrics smooth, lightweight and pretty with sateen weaves, crisp cottons, fine twills, silky crêpe de chines, cotton jersey and voile.  Complete your look with cute jewellery and pretty small scale accessories, including oriental floral corsages, dainty obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy sandals with a touch of sparkle.

Ingénue & Classic Ingénue

For a fresh, pretty version of this look focus on delicate structured pieces, neat feminine styles, petite polka dot prints, ‘70s retro designs and elegant oriental touches.  Combine puff sleeve jackets, frill trim blouses and sweet camisole tops with curvy pencil skirts, crisp gathered skirts and slim line trousers, adding delicate frill trims, fine pin-tucks, picot edges, floral appliqués and dinky polka dot prints.  Create an oriental feel with delicate ‘Chinese’ jackets, draped tunic tops, cropped pants and exquisite cheongsam dresses, that feature mandarin collars, delicate pipings, ornate frogging fastenings and silky tassels, along with dainty oriental embroideries, small scale Chinoiserie prints and crisp cherry blossom designs.  Look out for feminine ‘70s retro styles, dainty smock tops, slinky halter neck tops/dresses, floaty long line skirts and ruffled sundresses, with fitted waist panels, fine draping, ruching, gathers, twists, ruffles and frills, along with dainty sprig prints and delicate floral designs.  Keep fabrics smooth, lightweight and pretty, with sateen weaves, crisp cottons, silky crêpe de chines, drapy viscoses, silk jersey and frothy chiffons.  Complete your look with delicate jewellery and pretty small-scale accessories with a touch of sparkle, including oriental floral corsages, dainty obi belts, structured clutch bags and dainty strappy sandals.

Natural Ingénue & Ingénue Natural

For a fresh, pretty version of this look focus on relaxed feminine styles, dainty fitted shapes, polka dots, ‘70s retro designs and sweet oriental touches.  Combine fitted puff sleeve jackets, frill trim blouses, ruffled peasant tops and lacy camisoles with jeans, petticoat skirts and floaty skirts, adding delicate frill trims, pin-tucks, picot edges, lacing, floral appliqués and dinky polka dot prints.  Create an oriental flavour with pretty ‘Chinese’ jackets, draped tunics, cropped drawstring pants and delicate cheongsam styles, that feature mandarin collars, delicate pipings, ornate frogging fastenings and silky tassels, along with dainty oriental embroideries, small scale Chinoiserie prints and cherry blossom designs.  Also look out for feminine ‘70s retro styles, frilled smock tops, gathered halter neck tops/dresses, floaty long line skirts and ruffled sundresses with fitted waist panels, delicate draping, ruching, gathers and frills, along with dainty sprig prints and small scale floral designs.  Achieve a dainty mix of natural textures with washed canvas, lightweight denims, slubby silks, silky crêpe de chines, cotton voiles, cotton jersey, rib knits and silk tweeds.  Complete your look with pretty natural jewellery and delicate small scale accessories, including oriental floral corsages, dainty obi belts, clutch bags and strappy sandals.

Romantic

For a thoroughly glamorous version of this look focus on floaty feminine designs, sinuous silhouettes, stunning ‘70s retro styles, luxurious latino looks and exotic oriental touches.  Choose curvaceous cropped jackets, puff sleeve jackets, ruffled tops and sexy bustiers, teamed with gathered/tiered skirts, fluid wide leg pants and frilled sun dresses, adding corset styling, lacing, flamboyant floral appliqués, waterfall frills, flounces and ruffles, along with large scale polka dots and rounded baroque prints.  Add a touch of ‘70s glamour with draped/ruched tops, off the shoulder peasant tops, curvy tulip skirts, floaty maxi skirts, sinuous drapy dresses and flowing long line dresses.  Essential details include ruching, twisting, draping, gathers, waist panels, hip bands and thigh high slits, along with splashy abstract prints, romantic floral motifs and exotic Chinoiserie images – all in large scale.  Keep fabrics sheeny, shiny and fluid with shimmering satins, drapy viscoses, satin back crêpes, silky crêpe de chine, frothy chiffons and luxurious silk tweeds.  Complete your look with sparkly jewellery and medium/large scale accessories with plenty of glitz, including 70s floppy straw hats, floral corsages, wide cinching obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy wedge sandals.

Ingénue Romantic

For a pretty, yet glamorous version of this look focus on floaty feminine designs, sinuous silhouettes, delicate ‘70s retro styles and elegant oriental touches.  Combine curvy puff sleeve jackets, ruffled peasant blouses and frill trim bustiers with pencil skirts, gathered/tiered skirts and slim fluid trousers, adding decorative floral appliqués, dainty corset styling, lacing, picot edges and small scale polka dot prints.  Create an oriental feel with delicate ‘Chinese’ jackets, draped tunic tops, cropped pants and charming cheongsam dresses, along with mandarin collars, ornate frogging fastenings, pipings and silky tassels, adding oriental embroideries, Chinoiserie prints and cherry blossom designs – in small/medium scale.  Add a touch of ‘70s glamour with  dainty smock tops, draped/ruched tops, slinky halter necks, curvy tulip skirts, floaty maxi skirts, ruffled sundresses and sinuous long line dresses.  Essential details include fitted waist panels, fine ruching, twisting, draping, gathers, ruffles and frills, along with sprig prints, romantic floral designs and intricate Chinoiserie images – all in small/medium scale.  Keep fabrics smooth, lightweight and pretty, with sateen weaves, silky crêpe de chines, drapy viscoses, frothy chiffons and delicate silk tweeds.  Complete your look with delicate jewellery and pretty small/medium scale accessories with a touch of sparkle, including oriental floral corsages, obi belts, structured clutch bags and dainty strappy sandals.

Romantic Classic

For a stylish, glamorous version of this look focus on floaty feminine designs, sinuous silhouettes, upmarket ‘70s retro styles and elegant oriental touches.  Combine sophisticated puff sleeve jackets, simple wrap tops and slinky shell tops with floaty gathered skirts, fluid wide leg pants and frilled sun dresses, adding restrained waterfall frills, ruffles, decorative floral appliqués and medium scale polka dots.  Add a touch of ‘70s glamour with sophisticated draped/ruched tops, curvy tulip skirts, floaty maxi skirts, fluid halter neck dresses, sinuous drapy dresses and flowing long line dresses.  Essential details include controlled ruching, twisting, draping, gathers, waist panels and hip bands, along with rounded floral prints, romantic rose motifs and graceful Chinoiserie images – all in medium scale.  Keep fabrics smooth, sheeny, fluid (and expensive) with sateen weaves, drapy viscoses, satin back crêpes, silky crêpe de chines, frothy chiffons and luxurious silk tweeds.  Complete your look with upmarket jewellery and elegant medium scale accessories with a touch of sparkle, including frothy floral corsages, obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy sandals.

Romantic Natural

For a sexy, glamorous version of this look focus on sleek denim styles, floaty feminine designs, stunning ‘70s retro styles, luxurious latino looks and exotic oriental touches.  Combine curvaceous jackets, ruffled tops and sexy bustiers with figure-hugging pencil skirts, gathered/tiered skirts, skinny jeans, fluid wide leg pants and frilled sun dresses, adding corset styling, lacing, flamboyant floral appliqués, waterfall frills, gathered flounces and frothy ruffles. Also look out for bold combinations of colourful spots, variegated stripes, checks and striking baroque prints – all in large scale.  Add a touch of ‘70s glamour with draped/ruched tops, off the shoulder peasant tops, curvy tulip skirts, high-waisted wide leg trousers, floaty maxi skirts, sinuous drapy dresses and flowing long line dresses.  Essential details include ruching, twisting, draping, gathers, waist panels, hip bands and thigh high slits, along with splashy abstract floral prints, romantic rose designs and exotic Chinoiserie florals – all in large scale.  Achieve a mix of natural textures with designer denims, sleek canvas, luxurious silk tweeds, slubby silks, silky crêpe de chines, soft cotton voiles, silk jersey, slinky rib knits, drapy viscoses and frothy chiffons.  Complete your look with glamorous jewellery and bold accessories with a mix of texture and sparkle, including 70s floppy straw hats, floral corsages, wide cinching obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy wedge heel sandals.

Natural Romantic

For a natural, yet glamorous version of this look focus on relaxed feminine styles, sinuous silhouettes, sexy ‘70s retro styles, romantic latino looks and languid oriental touches.  Choose curvaceous puff sleeve jackets, ruffled tops and sexy bustiers, teamed with gathered/tiered skirts, fluid wide leg pants and frilled sun dresses, adding corset styling, lacing, pretty floral appliqués, waterfall frills, flounces and textured ruffles, along with medium scale polka dots and rounded baroque prints.  Add a touch of ‘70s  glamour with draped/ruched tops, off the shoulder peasant tops, curvy tulip skirts, floaty maxi skirts, sinuous drapy dresses and flowing long line dresses. Essential details include ruching, twisting, draping, gathers, waist panels, hip bands and thigh high slits, along with splashy abstract prints, romantic floral motifs and soft Chinoiserie images – all in medium scale.  Achieve a natural mix of textures with washed canvas, lightweight denims, luxurious silk tweeds, slubby silks, silky crêpe de chines, soft cotton voiles, cotton jersey, slinky rib knits, drapy viscoses and frothy chiffons.  Complete your look with glamorous jewellery and medium scale accessories with a mix of sparkle and texture, including 70s floppy straw hats, floral corsages, wide cinching obi belts, structured clutch bags and strappy wedge sandals.

CARNIVAL - Likely Stockists include:

D & G, East, Escada, Episode, Etro, Nicole Fahri, Louis Feraud, Hobbs, Marc Jacobs, Just Cavalli, Marni, Max Mara, Karen Millen, Monsoon, Moschino, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Phase Eight, Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti, Prada, Emilio Pucci, Jil Sander, Dries Van Noten, Diane Von Furstenberg , Whistles and Zara, along with stylish boutiques and all good department stores.

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