2012: top trends that were
In true Sesame Street style, 2012 was brought to you by the letter P. And here’s why…
Purple -the colour of AW12 thanks to Christopher Kane, Peplums, Pastels all over this Summer’s catwalk, Prada’s geometric print trousers, Print -everywhere especially the digital variety and Mary Katrantzou’s floral catwalk, Pleather for those who like the leather look without the sweatiness and Pleats, soon to be exchanged for sharp sixties shapes in 2013. For everything else there’s the rest of the alphabet and a few major trends to remember that have staying power in SS13.
Pastel Perfection
Sorbet shades and pretty pastels ranged from pared down shapes at Philip Lim and Preen to fifties glamour at Louis Vuitton with THAT merry-go-round catwalk moment with Kate Moss. As well as sugary dip dye hair and shimmery metallics, we loved Jil Sander’s pastel coats for winter and SS13 looks set to have some pastel moments too.
Moss on the roundabout
Wet look + leather
It sounds like a seedy shop in Soho but was it possibly one of this year’s hottest trends. The life aquatic and shimmery wet look metallics were seriously hot last summer – think Versace’s swimming pool campaign, Chanel’s giant clam with Florence Welch in it, Giles Decon’s laser cut silver leather and Richard Nicoll’s risqué clear plastic overcoats and pvc pastel skirts. Come winter, Miranda Kerr was the poster girl for the leather trousers and waxed jeans everyone is wearing. Christopher Kane’s shimmery leather-detail structured dresses were much admired and brocade was big news too for a warmer take on the wet look even though it is still invariably wet outside! While leather is apparently on its way out (we bet it sticks around as the general public as well as the fash pack have embraced it) metallics and especially iridescent fabrics are here to stay in SS13, so stock up in the sales!
One of my fav ad campaigns of the summer
Sports luxe + geometry lessons
The Olympics dominated the news this summer and the catwalk was full of sporty separates in slouchy silk, mesh and structured tailored shapes. Even trackie bottoms and trainers got a makeover. Of Course, Stella McCartney decked out Britain’s sporting stars but we also loved Celine’s go-faster-stripes and chevrons and Alexander Wang’s mesh and silk slouch shapes. Triangle and geometric shapes lived on into AW12 in Prada’s workwear-transforming matchy matchy trouser suits with distinctive geometric prints and Chanel’s gem-tastic pieces with geometric touches.
Geometry at Chanel
Olympics superstar Victoria Pendleton glams up in Stella McCartney – natch.
People to remember
Cara Delevingne was arguably the model of the year. We loved her catwalk looks as well as her face-pulling backstage antics. Miranda Kerr was our favourite model off-duty pin-up, while Brad Pitt became the first male ambassador for Chanel No 5 perfume. There were designer Musical chairs at a number of fashion houses (Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent anyone?) and we’re uber excited to see Alexander Wang make his mark on Balenciaga. Kate Middleton’s penchant for sensible frocks and nude heels caught on and we’ll be watching her maternity style closely.
Love Cara (for i-D magazine winter 2012
What we all wore
Shoe-wise, Isabel Marant’s wedge trainers were ultimate-must-haves with high street versions everywhere, Christopher Kane’s super practical sandals didn’t catch the public’s imagination but caused a sensation on the runway and who doesn’t own a pair of slipper shoes?
Dip dye and ombre hair as a beauty trend is still going strong as is crazy nail art. Rumour has it we’ll all be lusting after Nails Inc’s ‘concrete’ effect polish this Spring.
2012 was a HUGE year for collaborations and we were queing round the block and hitting ‘refresh’ for Topshop’s New Gen tees and Mary Katrantzou collections, Marni and Maison Martin Margiela and going crazy for Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton amongst others. What are your major fashion memories?
