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  AUTUMN/WINTER 2011
 
Fashion goes swinging again this Autumn/Winter and the 60s comeback is a head-to-toe affair: sloping shoulders and bracelet sleeves, polonecks and mod pants, knee-high boots and bee-hives, clean-line tunics and retro knits. This trend is all about shape, shape, shape, so keep it simple and go for sharp lines, block colours and minimal detailing

From elaborate artistic swirls and opulent winter florals, to the humble polka dot, this season is a master class in print and pattern. If you’re a print novice start with some dots and work your paintbrush upwards. Intermediates make an impact by mixing your motifs with monochrome, and if you’re a little braver then get clashing.

This Autumn/Winter 2011 is also having a menswear moment with mannish coats, oversized boyfriend sweaters, trouser suits, brogues all abundant on the catwalk. This gender shake-up was full of retro references

And we did say this is the season of elegance so make sure you blur the boundaries and give your androgynous looks a feminine twist. The season’s return to elegance is goes back to Forties ladylike sophistication. So it’s a fully dressed affair – fur shrugs, pearls, gloves and a slim belt are all required extras.
Keep the look modern, by avoiding anything too frilly or fussy and play with bold accessories.

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Borrowed-from-the-boys Tailoring
This season you must borrow from the boys and that means literally – masculine
tailoring details such as cummerbunds, silk ties, pinstripes and overcoats all featured in looks this season to give some manly punch. We’ve said it before but we’ll see it again(!) – add in a feminine spin to keep the look sensuous and not City-boy.

This is how it’s done – feminise the exacting style and rigid line of this trend with fabrics and decoration. The monochrome colour-block, slight curved shape and
leather sleeves give the masculine overcoat a feminine fashion edge and the grey oversized coat is softened with fur tand softer cut trousers.

Trend and shape your body:
Use tailoring details to clever effect – pinstripes to
create lean, long lines, cummerbunds and belts to show off your waist and ties to draw focus upwards and add height.

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The pencil skirt
Forties Flair fully revolves around the pencil skirt – smart and super-sexy, a form- fitting pencil is a key staple for autumn. Think polished elegance with a touch of kink.
Take Hitchock era sirens as your point on reference.

Trend and shape your body:
Pear shapes opt for dark pencil skirts and use additional extras such as a fedora or fur tippet to draw attention upwards. Top- heavy shapes opt for this season’s metallic or lace pencil skirts for added volume and depth down below.

 

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Jewel Colours
Fashion’s palette has moved on from Summer’s acid brights and paintbox pops of colour to colours that dazzle like prized gems. With names like amethyst, sapphire, emerald, ruby, garnet and citrine – these hues will make any look rich and sophisticated. Wear one colour from head-to-toe to make maximum impact, juxtaposed with this season’s monochrome for a little sobriety or in one of this season’s hottest bold colour pairings as seen here at Monsoon.

Trend and shape your body:
Tonal tights and shoes will give a colourful look an extra flattering dimension. Lighter jewels add volume while darker ones diminish it.

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Pussy Bow Blouse
Nothing says ladylike sophistication faster than a tie of a pussybow. A blouse in rich, muted colour is the last word in understated elegance and will add that just-right-now
simple, elegant vibe to any look.

Steer away from the predictable interpretation with the use of unexpected colour combinations. This colour blocking blouse does just that, keeping the look fresh and modern.

Trend and shape your body:
Colour will draw focus wherever it is placed as will
a pussybow which will also add volume. If you’re bigger up top then mix your trends and team with 70s-esque wide leg trousers to balance things out.

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Heritage
Dust off your wax jacket, British heritage designs are having a moment- think Lady of the Manor at her country pile. Tweed, plaid, herringbone, tartan, quilting all featured heavily on the catwalk. And the way to wear it? Reformat classic country house style by mixing like mad!

To make the look work in the real world, keep colours tonal and use subtly different shapes and patterns like this look from House of Fraser – the stripes and chevrons and a grey, black and white palette keeps the look in check!

Trend and shape your body:
This can be a bulky trend so pick one statement piece if the volume all gets too much. Belt up to give a modern cinch and keep your true silhouette on show.

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Artistic
The most beautiful ornate designs this season were worthy of gilded frames – rich intricate designs inspired by Faberge Eggs and Ming vases. On the catwalk pieces
were worn together in exceptionally elaborate looks but you can create your own masterpiece with one beautiful statement piece.

Frame your own figure beautifully by wrapping around a waist belt and mounting on ,a black background.

Trend and shape your body:
Dark print’s work well with solid darks to create a
minimising effect for curvy bodies.

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Cocoon Shape
Get cocooned in classic 60s couture in a line up of voluminous padded dresses, coats and skirts. Lines are softer and curving with rounded sleeves, puffy shoulders and bell-shaped skirts. Choose a ballooned shape to exaggerate your shape to beautiful effect – puffy shoulders will enhance narrow, sloping shoulders; round bracelet sleeves flatter arms and bell-shapes skirts cover hips and thigh and show off waists.

Don’t blow up the balloon to burst though – a more deflated option is more flattering. Wear heels to lift the look further.

Trend and shape your body:
Colour blocking is easier than it looks just make
sure you don’t create a hard horizontal line across the widest part of your body – higher or lower and you will be fine.

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Shift Dress
The shift dress is the quintessential Sixties ingredient. Ditch the excess and keep the style recipe simple and pared back for an effortlessly chic look. Look for a dress with a ‘Mod-erne’ twist..

The way to work the modern shift is with heels and minimal jewellery such as a sleek, bold cuff. With the fitted shift dress becoming one of next season’s strongest

staples – commercially as strong as it gets – shift with prints that called to mind Monet’s waterlilies; inky florals in the richest scarlet; and panels with bra fastenings at the back to show a tantalising window of flesh.

Trend and shape your body:
Dresses that glide over the body work brilliantly on
all shapes and create a toned smooth look if worn with an ATIR body shaper, a must have in every womans wardrobe check out
www.atir.ie

 
RMI BRANDING T: +353(0)87 0506463 E: info@rmibranding.com