Classy Carriers

After shoes, handbag is one accessory that can solely transform your look. Spring/Summer 2013 witnessed a riot of eclectic design in handbags. Made in vivid prints, contemporary silhouettes and various textures, handbags of 2013 are sleeker, compact and have a futuristic feel. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s hot!

See-through Handbags: Designed on the lines advance-technology, compact gadgets and gizmos, see through clutches and bags are for those who like to keep it simple and clean. Design houses like Burberry Prorsum and Valentino introduced see through bags of different colors in their 2013 collection.

Canvas Totes: After going through number shapes, designs, texture, canvas took over the handbag trend with slouchy, organic, eco-friendly and utilitarian handbags. Big names like Chanel, Fendi and Louis Vuitton introduced such bags to the handbag market.

Portfolio Bags: Proposed in 2012 Spring/Summer collections, envelope or portfolio bags continued to be a hit on the runway. These men’s handbag inspired large clutch-like bags were mostly paired with androgynous themes and trends.

Fanny Packs: Surprisingly, fanny packs made a comeback on the 2013 runway collections. The small accessory that was once limited to travel essentials stole the spotlight of Spring/Summer 2013. In a sporty chic version these were seen mostly in patent black, classic beige and blue nappa leather.

Rucksacks: Rucksacks or backpacks went through a sporty yet compact designing. The runway of designers like DKNY, Versus and Hermes showcased a lot of sport-inspired small backpacks.

Laser perforated handbags: One of the hottest new trends of Spring 2013 turned out to be perforated and cut-work bags. Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren and Mulberry mastered the trend with their unique Spring/Summer handbag collection. In colours like black, sultry red, beige and mint, these bags turned heads while the models flaunted them on the ramp.

Leather Lust!

Great news for leather lovers! This Spring/Summer flaunt a high fashion statement with warm-weather leather. Yes it is officially a summer thing now! Once used to be a winter wear fabric, leather has evolved into a cool, luxurious, rich material for evening wear, no matter what season it is. Leather is now a year-round fashion staple. PU panelled leggings to slouchy jackets, trousers, tops and even dresses have a hint of leather in them.

Pretty is not cool anymore! Androgynous elements like leather, epaulettes, loose fit trousers, padded shoulders have successfully replaced the pretty things in fashion. Leather tops the list when it comes to creating a warrior look. Surprisingly the designers have started experimenting more with rare fabric unlike using more breathable materials such as, cotton and rayon.  Fashion leaders like Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and Halle Berry have confirmed that leather (or leather-look fabric) is definitely going to stay in this Spring/Summer.

Now it is a must for every designer to include at least a few leather creations in their collections for Fall/Winter 2013. 

Leather Dresses are one such trends of leather that fashionistas can’t get away without trying. Big names like Jason Wu, Mandy Coon, and Alexander Wang displayed amazingly unique versions of leather dresses. Wisely designed cuts, clean lines and sharp silhouettes made the runway blaze with sheer hotness of this thick luxurious fabric.

Coloured leather too was one of the biggest things that took over the Spring/Summer runway collections. Breaking all rules of fashion designers not only used leather in understated blacks and browns, they took it out of the box by introducing red, mustard and mint green faux leather pieces. Top designers like Reem Acra and Derek Lam were at their best when creations like bright red dresses, perforated skirts, and asymmetrical leather tops hit the runway of S/S 2013!

Redefining Jewels

 Once used in a clear-cut and defined style, jewellery designs have now evolved into a one man army accessory. Now, we have fashion influences that stay longer, keep evolving and get morphed at the same time. In simple terms, 2013 is the year where everything is in fashion.It is not a secret any more that jewellery can make or break any look. Contemporary jewels have the power to jazz up your style regardless of the season.

Handmade Aesthetic:  Jewellery lovers are now yearning more for handmade jewellery rather than being dictated by the trends prevailing the jewellery market. Since the new-age fashionista is experimental and prefers to do trends in their own way, there is no one style ruling the fashion world.

Eclectic Designs: Jewellery has gone beyond crystals, stones and beads! Tribal motifs, gothic designs, fringe detailing and tapestry-like texture are some of the elements dominating the jewellery industry. World known celebrities like Diane Kruger, Karolina Kurkova, Heidi Klum and Natasha Poly have been seen donning such jewels.

Moving towards simplicity: Tap the statement jewellery trend with simpler, cleaner and clutter free jewellery. Ionized-brass rings, unfinished stones and crystal earrings, resins necklaces ,and jewellery made of cords are surprisingly the most popular key jewellery pieces in the market.

Expensive Jewels are a Passé: If you have bought a piece of jewellery that no one notices, then you may as well have thrown your money away. The trend is to buy statement-making jewels that are striking and worth every compliment you get. Don’t spend your money on gold and diamonds that cost you a bomb and is not appealing enough.

Jewellery has definitely come out of the ornamental category. It is now more of a synthesis between innovation and tradition. 

The Black & White Picture

Simply call it Black and White or give it the latest ‘it’ term ‘Monochrome’; the classy two-tone look has made an appearance back at the runways and streets. Big names like Balmain, Chanel, Valentino and Marc Jacobs have all stirred up the runway with Monochrome through their A/W2012 and S/S2013 collections. And why not? Since in this sea of trends it’s hard to differentiate yourself, black and white sets you apart effortlessly. After facing the print storm of Spring Summer 2012 fashion weeks, B&W runway trend has acted like a cleanser in the chaos. 

Play with contrast accessories while keeping B&W in the background. The tint of colour will make the colour stand out. You don’t have to pull out all your big guns for those special dates. Just finish the duo with bright lips, some gold-tone jewellery and pulled back hair to make a bold statement. 

Want to do the monochrome look. Take a leaf out of Koovs' Spring/Summer 2013 Monoplay collection.

1. Sequin Detail Leggings: Getting extra style points for its versatility, this pair of trousers is made for both office and out. These slim fit, mid-rise and ankle-showing pants fit the criteria of in-trend, statement pants!

Hot Tip: Pair it with a white upper and let the opposites attract. Add contrast heels and swept back hair to heighten-up sophistication.

2. Bold Striped Maxi Skirt: Stripes seem to top the never-out-of-fashion list. Tap the trend with this striking skirt from KOOVS. B&W combo makes both colours pop out.

Hot Tip: This skirt, a body-con top and statement heels, Girl, you are ready to hit the high street!

3. KOOVS Jersey Outline Midi Dress: A LBD with a monochrome twist, this midi dress is a must-have for every fashionista. Its contrasting criss-crossing lines make the dress wearable for even plus size figure.

Hot Tip: Break the lines with a bright belt or pair it with black tights fail-safe look.

4. Square Frame PrintedSunglasses: Now that’s a how classic gets new avatar. Patent square frame turns funky in B&W print on these cool sunglasses from Carlton London.

Hot Tip: Add these to your monochrome casual or single-coloured dressing and let the pair speak your style.

5. White watch with H-Shape Dial: With the dial set in the shape of brand's iconic 'H' initial, this Hilfiger timepiece works well for both boardroom & party. The rose gold finish at the edges brings an affluent feel to the watch. Sturdy white straps of this analogue complete its fashion-function feature. 

Hot Tip: Add a bohemian twist by wrapping some metal-finish bracelets along. 

6. Studded White Sandals: This season, we just can’t get enough of studded pieces in our wardrobe. These white wedge-heel sandals with studs glamorously set on the multiple straps are a cool take on the rock and roll style.

Hot Tip: Work this pair with anything from ethnic to western. Matching white accessories would be a plus point.

Pastels Reign

2012 was the year of neons. The psychedelic shades now give way to pastels in summer 2013. No matter if it’s in print or plain, bright pastel shades like Nectarine (Peach), powder blue, emerald and pumpkin orange are set to have their moment! Remember the ice-cream sundae that we’d love to have during school days? Not sure of the ice-cream but its appetizing colours have made a comeback on the runways of world famous designers.

These delectable pastel shades such as dusty coral pink, mint, candyfloss, egg shell blue, flooded the Spring/Summer 2013 runways of Missoni, Bottega Veneta, Versace, Gucci and Roberto Cavalli.  

Here’s how to do this dreamy cosmic pastel trend:-

• Don’t overdo the pastels: Think while styling pastels. Too much of these might end up making you look like a creamy cupcake. Break the monotony with contrast jewellery.

• Layer the Pastels: The best way to do the pastels without looking monotone top-to-toe is to layer it with other shades. Make a pastel’y palette by picking different colours.

• Breaking the monotony: Add neutral shades like black, white, stone, camel and beige to mellow-down the pastel shades. Like adding all-black accessories to a dusty pink dress would turn it into a sophisticated ensemble from a rather cute-looking one. It is a great colour combo and can also be combined with black based prints. 

• Pastel Hair: Remember My Little Pony, the fantasy hair colour of those ponies is now having its time in beauty industry! Not only reserved for apparel, pastels are being tried on hair too. 

Whether you stick to a single colour, mix and match different strands or put pastel shaded clip-ons, the soft breezy pastels would evoke a whimsical feel to your look.