'Trendspotting'

Going Tribal in Harper's Bazaar

From a sartorial sojourn in the desert, to a mixed-media-project turned-necklace, the season’s latest trends experiment with different textures, new prints and unexpected color combinations.

Read the Small Print

Whether it’s polka dots paired with stripes, or animal prints worn with tye dye – it’s a lesson in how opposites attract. The mismatching appeal lies in the fact that the end result (when executed properly) appears so effortless, so casual and cool.

Start small by investing in a bold print with a surprising drape: this BCBG silk dress at Saks Fifth Avenue ($378) features a colorful print with a series of draped panels that fall at an asymmetrical hem. Opt for subtle prints in light colors like yellow and pink in classic shapes for the office. Play it safe with an all neutral pairing of prints and create instant contrast with a colored accessory.

BCBG Print Dress at Saks Fifth Avenue

But for the more daring: Take a print and wear it in two bold colors. Go for a never-before-seen animal with tye dye print like the Diane Von Furstenberg sheath dress seen earlier this season. Only make sure that the tone always suggests the same – edgy prints for an edge, feminine prints for softness, understated prints for a modest look.

Desert Tribe

Venture to the African savannah or tough it out in the urban jungle with earthy tones, light fabrics and natural accents.

The colors are warm and rich: military greens, khaki, browns, reds and oranges. The warm shades balance out any strong graphic prints. Fabrics like linen and cotton gauze keep you cool, and denim in faded washes keep you comfortable. Look out for cargo pants, harem pants, denim vests and safari jackets.

Miguel Ases earrings

Accessories and jewelry often incorporate natural stones and animal skins. This Native American-inspired set of dangle earrings by Miguel Ases ($168 above), for example, uses coral with glass beads and leather for added visual appeal. A cross-body bag might come with fringe. A Panama hat comprised of woven straw would be perfect for a day at the beach.

Mixed Media

Take a closer look at a Dannijo necklace and you will find a piece of jewelry made up of not one, but several different elements: examples are metal, wood, beads, satin and lace. This isn’t an arts and craft project, but a good example of the direction in which most jewelry designers are now again heading.

Mixed media at Dannjio

For the bohemian, jewelry takes a recognizable animal motif (elephant, snake, bird) and might include a bracelet using chains, beading, enamel and metal fashioned in the likeness of that animal. An appliqué- heavy bib necklace might use lace, velvet and beading for a romantic allure.

That single strand necklace with tiny pendant? Too simple. Too dull. Not enough creativity!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of trend-fashion-beauty.blogspot.comsaksfifthave.com; shopbop.com; dannijo.com

'What's Gingham Anyway'

All this talk about fabrics like damask and linen… but what’s gingham?! I promised I would explain:

Chipper and Patterned

Gingham editorial in March '09 issue of British Vogue

The gingham men’s shirt that I managed to pry from my boyfriend’s fingers a couple weekends ago is what I would consider a good print to use as a picnic tablecloth at a summer barbecue. But I cannot deny that prints like gingham, check and plaid are gaining in popularity. My boyfriend falls in the same group as most trend goers, and likes the print.

Gingham, when taken for its original meaning, refers to its repeated stripes. The printed or dyed fabric dates back to the 1600s when it was imported to England and then the American colonies. Blue and white was often the checked pattern of choice.

To this day, gingham has various uses in the home and in the wardrobe. This might be because gingham is today spun from cotton and synthetic fibers – making the textile light, wrinkle-free and easy to clean. Gingham can be found in the kitchen as curtains, handkerchiefs, barbeque bedspreads, household linens and in summer dress for men and women.

Sophisticated and Draped

Silk Dupioni curtains

Silk dupioni is known for its texture and its visual appeal. The silk is produced when two or more silkworms spin their cocoons too closely to one another – the result is a silk that is tougher and has an uneven and regal appearance.

The silk is often mixed with fine or heavy yarns that have occasional soft but think lumps. If you take a look closely at silk dupioni, you will most like see this lumps in the fabric. It is a combination of the ‘lumpy’ texture and the roughness in the silk that makes this fabric so popular.

Unlike other silks, this fabric resists wrinkles and tends to carry more weight. Silk dupioni is also reversible, an added bonus when used for window treatments. Chances are if you’ve seen silk dupioni, it’s by way of jackets, blouses, dresses, gowns, window treatments and table runners.

Not that gingham, linen, damask and silk dupioni are the only fabrics out there. But it’s good to know a little bit about some of frequently used fabrics before adding to your wardrobe or home décor.

Now you will never find yourself asking: “What’s gingham?”

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of liebemarlene.blogspot.com; decorinnovation.com

'Gingham Who?'

A stack of crisp, folded men’s dress shirts sat on a shelf in front of boyfriend, who stared back at the mishmash of patterns with one eyebrow raised.

He pulled out a men’s shirt in black and white gingham, and looked over at me. “I like this one.” he said.

“The gingham?” I asked. It was impossible to hide the disappointment in my voice – not only does my boyfriend always wear black, but he was going to look like a black picnic table at my girlfriend’s Miami wedding.

“What’s gingham?” he asked. “You know I don’t know anything about fabrics. You’re the one who works in fashion.”

True.

Black Gingham Shirt

The Saturday shopping experience – I managed to have my boyfriend surrender and purchase a light blue shirt with tie – made me realize that there might be others in need of a fashion tutorial.

Whether it’s dressing for a gala or redecorating your house, knowing which fabrics work for the occasion is essential. Here’s a list of some common fabrics found in home & fashion:

Lavish and luxe

Damask is known best for its rich and sumptuous appearance. Originating from Damascus, damask is a flat and reversible pattern made from fibers like silk, wool, linen, cotton or synthetic. Weavers will often add gold and silk thread to the weave to give the pattern its metallic luster.

It is a fabric that typically resonates with the aristocracy of centuries past, of lush parlors with tufted chairs upholstered in damask, velvet drapes and gold trim. For an Old World inspired look, this contemporary set of damask curtains has blue-blood written all over it.

Burgundy damask curtains

Light and care-free

This weightless and fresh fabric dates back to 3,500 years ago when linen was discovered on mummies in Egyptian tombs – a symbol of purity, light and luxury. It’s popularity eventually led to its introduction to Europe, where it was the chief textile of the Middle Ages.

Linen is often worn in the balmy summer months to keep cool. Linen pants, shirts, dresses and shorts are often a staple in coastal regions. In home furnishings, you might find linen in the following places: window treatments, tablecloths, bed sheets, upholstery and handkerchiefs. If you’re looking for a stiff fabric that is highly absorbent and resistant to high temperatures, then linen is the fabric for you.

Linen tablecloths

So what’s gingham, you’re asking? I’ll get to that later.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of tmlwin.images,nowvalley.com; decorinnovation.com; oldcolonial.biz