February is always the most glamorous month with the Fashion Week and the Oscars. Though I am dying to pull out all the spring outfits and I'd vote for the warmth of summer over the chic coats of winter anytime, Feb is either about the red carpet or the fall outfits.

To avoid a depressing fall mood, I'm going to do a quick laundry list of key trends and here is a list of great posts for more reading. And hopefully, it will be spring tomorrow!

Key trends:
Textures - Fur and leather
Sparkles - Metallic colors and lots of beads and blinks
Colors - 2 opposites: Richness (Navy, red, purple and various degrees of greens) vs White and soft nudes/champagnes
Patterns - American classics (think tweeds), lux (embroidery), geo (color block)
Silhouettes - A bit military, a bit romantic, a bit boxy (on the outerwear)

If you want to see a detailed laundry list, check out this link.
Click here for the Pantone color trends.
Folks who like eye-candy, check out some cool runway looks here.

Image credit: http://newagexbrainwash.com

If you have read my trend summary from earlier this year, you will see that the early prediction for Fall  has become a guide for mainstream commercial fashion and some of these trends may have already taken over your wardrobe. And a lot of it are here to stay for spring 2013!

First off, a recap of Fall must haves:

1) Silhouettes - iron lady (update - suits, peplums are still here, adding full skirts now, restraint elegance, specifically buttoned up or closed colars), modern military, global aristocrate, chic sportsman (sportswear rules!), matrix PLUS roomy 20s and 80s jacket and slouchy pants look (updated)

2) Materials - FUR, or rather faux fur! (update) Leather, ultra-feminine lace, velvet, AND lots of jeweled embellishments! (updated)

3) Colors - Stark black and gold contrasts, white, burgundy and LOTS of RED

4) Patterns - (updated) Opulent floral patterns are more romantic and dark. Also latticework or tiled toned down smaller patterns on suits, coats and pants. Symmetrical images or geometrical shapes creating curvy illusions

From top to bottom, left to right: Balmain, Rick Owens, Givenchy, L'Wren, Jason Wu, Dolce&Gabbana,  Max Mara, Lavin, Giles

Where do I get a good look at the designers examples of these trends:
HarpersBazaar.com
Elle.com
NYMag.com

Where do I get a good how-to-wear guide of some of these trends:
Instyle.com


Then a quick snapshot of Spring/Summer 2013 from the ongoing NYFW:

So far it is a bit sedated compared to the popping colors of the previous SS collections. There are some colors here and there but used quite strategically in the shows. Seems like it is all saved for the crazy nail art! Ok, here are some key highlights so far...

1) Tough romanticism (or BDSM inspired) leather and lace (really?!)
2) The Jazz Age is here to stay
3) Sportswear
4) Globe Trotting (it kinda faded out in the fall, and I'm not exactly sure if I like the latest DVF collection so you decide...)
5) African influence in color
6) Black fading into blues, coral, and nude
7) White
8) Flowers
9) Color blocking and geometry

From top to bottom, left to right: Tibi, Tracey Reese, Giulietta, Prabal Gurung, Helmut Lang, BCBG, Lela Rose, Rachel Zoe, Calvin Klein

Where do I get closeups and goodies about NYFW:
Go to MBFW Facebook page!

More to come after the FW and remember, you can watch it from the comfort of your desk (no tickets required!) on the Fashion Week youtube channel!

And I'll be putting together my new collection pinterest boards soon. So go check it out later.

Being in US, I look to the New York Fashion Week for inspiration and reality check. Jewelry usually plays a supporting role and my fear is the more exaggerated the clothing, the less interesting can the jewelry pieces be. Afterall, it accessories instead of fighting for attention.

BUT, I design for everyday women, not the runway. Similar to you, I look at the runway for the big trends, and internalize it so not only can I wear them off the runway (and during the day!), but also keep to my style and call it my own.

Spring 2012 from Elle.com

	Spring/Summer	Fall
Silhouette	40's inspired feminity, esp PEPLUM (also a big trend at the Oscars)
	20's inspired flapper/Daisy Buchanan of The Great Gatsby with drop waist and sequins. Thus long strand necklaces and art deco inspired floral shape jewelry are in	The Iron Lady. Layered, regal, tweeds, shawls, even brocades
	50's Don Draper's women. Floral, sherbet hues/pastels (also seen in the Oscars), even princess-like.	Modern military. This cannot be more different from spring - from softness to strength. But more refined than 2011 military. Almost a hint than literal
	Safari influence. African tribal including stacked large bracelets; bird prints	Global aristocrat/elevated nomad. Ethnic/eastern influenced, exotic and royal, with mbroideries, textile patterns. Blanket coats and even street-look inspired
	Sports couture. Hoodies and mesh etc used in a sophisticated way	Chic sportsman/outdoor preppy/hunting heritage, with fur and feather accents
	Bauhaus. Architectural; Geometry, e.g., asymmetrical shoulder or skirt length; Color blocks	Matrix! Minimalistic using black and leather
Color	White(Everywhere at the Oscars!) and bright orange
	Pastels	Black and burgundy
Other Specifics	Earrings! Especially dangles and statement pieces
	Yellow gold is back!
	Lots of lace, stripes, print on print, knit dresses, tailored short suit, center part hairdo, furturistic accessories and shoes, retro funky sunglasses	Mini-florals, strong collars, ultra cropped jackets and vests that are textural and cool, surprising makeover of suits by mixing prints and unusual fabrics, wrap dresses, gold glam with sequins, bigger belts, statement hats or hairpieces, and elegant long gloves

Fall 2012 from FrontRowMag.com

Show us your take of the trends with what you have in your wardrobe! Post pics on my FB here.