Bold, old and beautiful

It’s that time of the year when trend guides are out and bring with them a whole new set of revelations in fashion. The Spring/Summer 2012 collection of our choice designers are seeing a large dose of vintage fashion making it to the shelves of boutiques in every major fashion city. The chic style of the 1950s and power dressing of the 80s are clearly hot property of the runway this season, according to fashion experts. 

From pearls of the 1950s, the little black dress (LBD) that is still an Audrey Hepburn style statement, to tangy orange and chunky jewellery from the 80s, this season will feature timeless vintage trends.

Says Delhi-based fashion designer Gaurav Gupta, “Fashion trends are inherently cyclical. They are written that way. This season sees a strong vintage trend that is not merely replicated but is inspired and reworked to suit this era.” Here are a few classic must-haves that are ruling the ramps this summer.

THE WAIST SPOT

Think of Asin who opted for a strapless taupe dress with a peplum and tiered skirt at Farah Khan’s birthday bash and you’ll know the classic peplum, that has been around since the1940s, has made a comeback. Actor Sonam Kapoor too beamed at the L’oreal Paris Femina Women Awards when she teamed a floral printed pencil skirt with black peplum with a long sleeve shirt in lavendar. “A pleated ruffle drips around the hips of this knee-kissing skirt, which is fun and flirty, and yet, can be powerful dressing,” says Sidney Sladen, Chennai-based fashion designer. He adds, “It defines the body’s proportion and is a versatile silhouette that works well on any body type.”

He also mentions the waist coat and the shoulder pads from the 80s. “Women suiting of the 1980s is another trend to be noted. This season has everything for women – floral dresses to structured suits, which are vintage yet with a contemporary touch.”

PEARLS & FLORAL HEADBANDS

As you know, flowers are a real hit this season, they also come in all kinds of jewellery. “Necklaces, rings, bracelets, hair pins and other jewellery pieces from Spring/ Summer 2012 collections have been inspired by flowers,” explains Sidney. Not just this, decorative flowers have also influenced the shape of headbands.  Never forget the pearls, say designers. Taking a hint from the 1950s, pearls with LBD make a perfect cocktail dress. Kangana Ranaut was recently spotted clad in a LBD with a pearl neck piece and a classic up do. She definitely portrayed Audrey Hepburn in this look.

STRIPES & POLKA

Stripes seem to hold a place in fashion year after year. You can’t go wrong wearing stripes from head to toe,” says Gaurav. Been in vogue for many years, stripes inspired from the typical 1980s, used in structured silhouettes that show off power dressing, in skirts or dresses, are clearly in. “The vintage polka dots keeps shuttling and this year, they come in varied sizes. They are a major hit, and are used commonly in saris this season,” Gaurav says.

FLOWER POWER

Feminine and attractive floral prints are the trend this season. Designers choose from soft muted pastels to South Pacific-inspired bright and bold florals - just about in every shade. The floaty skirts from the brand Label of Ritu Kumar showcase graphics and floral prints inspired from countryside floral pattern.

ORANGE DELIGHT

Orange meets pink, and vice versa- the two hottest colours for Spring Summer 2012. Cheerful and bright, these colors are sure to provide that great neon pop to your outfit. Mumbai-based fashion designer James Ferreira, in his recent collection Save the Air, sticks to the colour of the season – Orange. Soft caramel colours such as cream, pink, coral, peach and banana are popular. Recently spotted at a Reliance Digital Store in Mumbai was Kareena Kapoor, who looked gorgeous in her figure-hugging orange outfit.

HAIR UP DO’S

Bobs and ballet buns, windswept ponytails and the wraparound French plaits are already seen on red carpets. Gaurav, in his fantasy collection at the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week 2012, displayed puffed bun hairdos from the 50s in structured silhouettes.