Free-flowing transparency

Dionna Young, Lifestyle Writer

After fall's grand opulence and embellished elaborate colours and cuts, we will welcome 2013 with softer, free-flowing materials and heaven-like shapes and vibrant, fruitful colours. Begin to relax and visualise, as this trend will present what grown-up, girly dreams are made of.

It's all about the free-flowing transparent measures, using featherweight, sheer materials like silk, chiffon, organza and mousseline. Think exotic, seductive shapes and mystical mermaids that Donna Karen and Giorgio Armani pay homage to, using wave-like, flowing cuts and tropical, ocean-like colours to drive home the tranquillity and subtlety that this trend brings. But I use subtlety to a minimum because warmth, depth and vivacious textures are what the designers really brought to the fashion table.

Reed Krakoff, Prabal Gurung and Dion Lee welcome contemporary cuts and colours using intense, deep palettes such as burnt orange, entwined with light,
crisp-white signatures. Whereas Haider Ackermann, Maxmara and Tom Ford
play on the term, contrast, to its fullest by combining light,
free-flowing materials with dark-toned colours to give a grown-up,
sexed-up and fearless feel to the collection/

Orange seems to be
a fave choice for the designers to play with opting for differing
shades of orange - Roberto Cavalli chooses pastel orange to partner with
hints of gold accessories and trimmings and Cavalli's gold oversized
shades shouldn't be amiss, certainly a talking point. Sophie Theallet
has fun with hot fusions of orange, mustard and fire-alarm reds,
creating a delicious hot pot of garment treats. And Rick Owens takes his
cue from whimsical Egyptian queens and mystical goddesses to create
romantic, beige, gold and cream feather-light drapes and figure-hugging,
yet free-flowing pieces.

Just when you thought the
'little black dress' (LBD) had its moment, Akris brings it back in full
swing, using sheer silk and chiffon to add length and flirtatious drama.
In opposition, Rag & Bone continues to represent winter's white
trend, weaving elements of white silk, cool cotton and
organza.

It's a trend to take full advantage of
combining amorous, Grecian-like garments and effervescent designs for
you to grace the fashion-conscious destinations. So time to see the new
year in with a flowing, transparent colourful bang, giving spring a new
twist on garden-fresh, crisp
colours.