Fall/Winter Trend Report

Annie Lam

Annie Lam

Annie Lam, Fashion Editor for Highrise Magazine and Contributing Editor for Jasmine Magazine, has kindly agreed to provide Modelresource readers with trend updates and style features, beginning with this one she filed while on assignment in Hong Kong.

The 26-year-old Plutino stylist has been in the industry for ten years in a variety of roles. If you have style-related questions for Lam, please e-mail her at annie@modelresource.ca. Your question may be answered on this website.

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Designers and stylists dictate the fashion you see on the runways, in stores, magazines and on the street. But even before the collections are created, broader fashion trends need to be forecast.

These forecasts are split into two seasons: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. But what exactly is fashion trend forecasting, and who does it?

Well in advance of each season an elite, global team of fashion experts choose themes based on current events, hot travel spots, upcoming movies, the surrounding environment or historical periods. Everyone from fabrics manufacturers to cosmetics companies rely on these forecasts to ensure they can meet the demand when the seasonal trends take hold.

So what are the inspirations behind the current Fall/Winter 2005/06's designer collections? There are 5 major themes behind the looks:

1. Plaids and Prints
2. Back in Black
3. Wonderland Fantasy
4. Dressed to Kill Glamour
5. Nordic Canadiana

Plaids and Prints

Andrea Gratton for Kity
photo by Paul Pacey

No plain school girl plaids here! This season's plaids and prints are updated with a bold and modern feel. Prints include argyles, hounds tooth, plaid, pinstripes, checks, croc, and a variety of knits. All are mixed in rich and contrasting tones with bold graphic like patterns. Picture slim woven suits and jackets in multicolored tweeds and wools. Knits and sweaters will have yarns like mohair and boucle. You'll notice that knits this season will have a great visual texture, either by using elaborate knitting techniques such as cables and ribbing, or by using fancy yarns like chenille and metallic threading.

Hot colours: Canary yellow, Fire red, Black, Kelly Green, and Peacock Blue.
Designer Looks: Chanel, Kity, and CINCYN

Back in Black

Michelle Valencourt for Misura
photo by Chris Nicholls After being dominated by this Spring/ Summer's vibrant hues, black is back in full force for this season. Since we all know that black is a classic color and will never truly fade out of fashion, black is a style that is easily achievable and one trend that anyone can splurge on. There's nothing boring about this season's blacks. Pick black on black tones and mix them together, they don't have to match perfectly. Use different materials such as leather, satin, suede and lace to achieve varying sheens and textures of blackness. For example, try pairing velvet pants with a satin camisole underneath a lace shirt and top with a wool coat.

Hot colours: Black, black and more black!
Designer looks: Louis Vuitton, Misura, and Gucci.

Dressed to Kill Glamour

The look is overindulgence, a throw back to the Baroque periods. You can't overdo with this look, more is more. The approach is full on glamour, silhouettes are exaggerated, with nipped in waists and inflated shoulders and skirts. Visualize tightness versus fullness to accentuate body parts; Gwen Stefani in her recent videos best exemplifies this trend. Luxurious is the key word for this fashion. You'll find lots velvets, taffeta silks, brocades and jacquards in the construction of garments. Heavy embellishments such as embroidery, sequins, piping and dramatic beadwork decorate the surface of the clothing. To complete the look, load on all the accessories possible! Starting with feathered hats, crystal brooches, faux fur collars, Chinese closures to layers upon layers of jewellery.


Marla Boehr styled by Rad Hourani
photo by Max Abadian Hot colours: Violet, teal, wine, gold and chartreuse.
Designer looks: Vivian Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and Viktor & Rolf.

Wonderland Fantasy

The most feminine of the Fall/ Winter trends, a pure visual delight. You can see a gypsy and flower child quality, incorporated with sensual yet delicate prints in a swirl of colours. Silhouettes are very dream like with swathes of fabrics, reminiscent of storybook fairies. There's a vintage influence in the cuts and shapes. Lots of flowers and ribbons decorate the surface. Embroidery, crochet and patchwork are integrated into the designs. Flowing fabrics such as crepe silk and voiles are used for long flowing skirts and shirts. While paired with heavier materials like tweeds and woolen blends for shrunken jackets and cape like jackets.

Hot colours: Magenta, ruby, mustard, and aqua.
Designer looks: Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Nordic Canadiana

Energie Be proud to be Canadian this season! We've been sporting this look for decades. It's winter chalet lifestyle chic; picture scenic mountains, crisp air and lots of fresh snow. Heavy hand knitted sweaters with Nordic motifs like snowflakes and reindeers are front and center. Flannels are no longer related to the grunge look, it's revived with a classic and comfortable look and feel. Materials are warm and inviting; from natural wools and flannels. Shapes are relaxed and natural, with heavy parkas, chunky sweaters and slim leggings. It all has a hand made look and feel. Padded and layered is the crucial aspect of this winter trend.

Hot colours: White, rust, brown, gray and olive green.
Designer looks: Miss Sixty, Dsquared2, and Energie.