DIY Restyle - Key Denim Trends S/S '14

Right, middle image | Junya Watanabe F/W 2013
Left image | DKNY, S/S 2014

Putting your own personal stamp on an item of clothing, whether purchased, vintage or handmade seems to resonate with a lot of people.
Mass production producing multiples of the same garment lacks any kind of personality, something we crave these days.
Denim jeans during the 60's had that kind of edge. Patchwork, embroidery were added with pride.
Practical and above all comfortable (for the most part), denim is definitely a go-to piece of clothing for whatever you are doing.
The trend that seems to be growing is the idea of collecting a look to put together.
Patches used in Junya Watanabe's jeans are different kinds of plaid and the patches themselves are grand in size, not the small patches used to cover holes.
Side stripes really mimic the tuxedo pant with the side embellishment, but why stop there?
The are so many ribbons, especially vintage ribbons allowing the denim to ooze with personality. As far as the embroidered logos, don't stop at one kind. There are sequined appliques that would add instant glamour to a pair of plain old jeans

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Needlecrafts - S/S 2014 Trend - Fringe Benefits

All images | Style Bistro

Here we are, into the first few days of the winter season and already I'm talking about a trend featured for next spring.
Well, here's a reality check, fringes are not new. Trends are recycled and repackaged.
Some hang around for quite a few seasons and others, mercifully, die a quick death.
Ordinary fringes on the bottom of a scarf are boring, been there done that.
Now, leather or suede fringes on a knitted garment is interesting creating a boho vibe that is currently so popular.
Think tufts of fringes here and there, not necessarily in even lines.
Starting with a plain, flat base mix textures using bouclé, sheer tape, eyelash and metallic fringe.
This mix creates excitement in the design, much like mixing patterns or colour blocking.
A thick roving yarn randomly knotted on the shoulders lends a dishevelled, military feel simulating epaulettes.
The design possibilities are endless as are the types of fringe patterns and materials to make them.

Read on and be inspired by designs featuring different ideas for fringes and how to use them. For crocheters there are several novel patterns to try.

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Trendspotting - Knit, Crochet with Metallic Finishes

Runway Images | Vogue.com - F|W '13

Knit fashions have really become ornate. Whether it's bejewelling or the surface "metallized", the added attraction has been embellishment.
Yarns blended or twisted with a lurex filament have been around forever, but a surface treated to look like "wet metal" is new, at least to me.
Ultimately, it reminds me of gilding furniture and frames with fine gold, silver or even iridescent foil sheets. The surface is painted with a substance that becomes tacky, helping the foil to adhere.
There are also very interesting new reflective yarns that can be blended with traditional yarns, especially effective with eyelash type yarns where the light peeks out under the eyelash fringe
Read further about iridescent pigments and how you can "paint" iridescence onto a surface.

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In Fashion - SpinExpo F/W '13 Knit Pattern Trends

Image and trend Info courtesy of Spinexpo New York

Happy New Year to everyone.
This time of year prompts me to think about all the new trends and the fresh possibilities they bring.
It's exciting to try something new, a stitch you've never encountered before or a colour combination you noted and liked. It's all good and gets the creative juices flowing.
One aspect of my job that I loved was attending the Colour Marketing Group Conferences. Groups from every industry and every department you could think of within each of the industries would sit down and collectively agree upon and determine the colour story and trends for the future. To my amazement, the story boards created in each group had similar themes. It was so much fun and you came back to work motivated and re-energized.
Graphicmania is a pattern trend of strong, graphic 70's patterns, particularly in black and white. We've already seen strong patterns highlighted in some collections this past fall. This trend continues into S/S '13 and F/W '13.

All Images |stylebistro.com

Look for more trend posts in the coming weeks