This autumn, anticipate all of your demure black pieces to fall to the floor of your closet. As many designers have predicted via the Pantone Fashion Color Report, this fall season will be rampant with bright, bold colors.
Max Azria has done no different for BCBG. The fall 2012 runway show, accented with the occasional leather, fur and wool pieces, was all about streamlined colorblocking on the lightest silk shift dresses. Here’s what we can take away from his intensely hued yet flowy works of fashion:
- Shades such as coral, navy, spiced orange, cobalt blue and bright green will dominate black, taupe, mocha and white. Anticipate your basic neutrals, but not without a geometric burst of intense color. Summer brights may not have to hibernate for the chilly weather.
- Colorblocking is back – but not just in blocks. Horizontal colorblocking reminiscent of the 1960’s will be making a revolutionary comeback, at least in the eyes of BCBG. Many of the pieces had vertical colorblocking that came in at just the right angles along each dress, and some had geometric shapes where contrasting colors were inversely positioned. Colors next to colors next to more colors – while borders were clean and defined, no piece lacked punch.
- Pleats, when done right, are chic. Long pleated shift dresses took almost the entire show, and there were no complaints. Streamlined thin pleats with slightly open deep v-necks or straight necklines made these fall uniforms anything but schoolgirl.
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The more silk, the better. Lightweight silk against these bold geometric patterns, while paired with heavier fall materials for warmth (leather, fur, wool), achieved a striking balance. Forget the minis, go long, and do not fear the autumn breeze. The right coat will allow for a perfectly harmonious October night out with these light-as-a-feather silk pieces.
- Keep out those blue suede shoes. Or in BCBG’s case, burgundy and black suede, which dominated the footwear. Suede is a material associated with autumn wear, and again only helped to balance the scales against long, beautifully silky, pleated shift dresses – even the jumpsuit!
Much like blocks of cement put together a building, blocks of daring colors will put together many an outfit this fall. BCBG held not only this predicted standard, but went above and beyond at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Bravo.