It's Time to Update the Spring Closet

With the weather warming up all over the country, it is safe to say that spring is finally here! That also means that it is time to turn over the closet and check out the latest spring and summer trends. Here is a rundown of some of the trends to keep an eye out for.

The first major trend that we are seeing is color! Pants are really making this trend. They are available in any color, from dark or light neon, to pastels, to even patterns! 

The second big trend we are seeing is the twenties. This could result from some major movies that are set to be released in the next couple of months, especially The Great Gatsby. Major designers like Ralph Lauren are onto this trend, which includes fringed skirts, pleats, and heavily beaded dresses. 

Another trend is longer hem lines. In the past, we have seen miniskirts make a huge comeback, but this season is all about being modest and conservative. This year, we have seen leather make a statement in every season, and it will continue to do so. I think it is a great combination to wear leather for spring, as well as another obvious trend: florals. We have seen designers such as Hermes and Celine use this trend in their spring collections. 

There are some trends that are also running over from past seasons, so remember to keep them in your closet. We are still seeing plenty of lace, especially on the backs of shirts. The last trend we have spotted is the wide leg trouser, rather than the skinny cut pant. 

In the accessories and beauty category, we are seeing many trends, as well.  There are plenty of chunky, colorful jewelry this season, and there are purses in the style of doctors' bags, which are larger and boxy at the bottom. For hair, we have seen a change from pin-straight styles to some bounce. Whether it is natural curls or blow-out hair, there is some movement in hair for spring. The chignon is also continuing through the spring, as well as the french twist updo. 

Text Caitlin Beck

Image 5150mommy.com

Watchmakers Turn Focus on women

Wearing a watch has been a trend in men's fashion for many years. But this year, watchmakers are turning their focus on women. The Swiss are working on a line of mechanical watches for women, and it is projected to become a more lucrative business than luxury men's watches. Tag Heuer, Chanel, and La Montre Hermes all predict that adding women's lines will increase sales by about 30 percent. 

The designers believe that women will like the mechanical aspect of the watches, as a result of the increased level of craftsmanship, as opposed to electric ones. Another reason that watch sales will rise is that they will make a great gift for women. Designers are also using a wide variety of materials to make these watches. The high-end watches will continue to consist of gold and diamonds, but designers have also begun to make watches with enamel, mother of pearl, and even feathers.

Text Caitlin Beck

Image vipo2v.com

Paris Fashion Week Recap

With all of the different shows during Fashion Week, it is hard to keep the top trends in order. So, here is a breakdown of Paris Fashion Week, as well as the trends that we will see in the fall as a result of the shows.

One of the top trends was the use of feathers. Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, and Zuhair Murad all incorporated feathers into their pieces and featured them in multiple ways. McQueen used them as the main material for some looks, while Murad used the feathers to add decoration to his cocktail dresses.

The color green also made a large appearance throughout the week. In the Kenzo, Hermes, and Chanel shows, green was the main color.  Kenzo mainly used moss green to compliment the animal print pieces, while Chanel used lime green in several looks. No matter the shade, green was all over the runway.

The last major trend that we saw was jewels. From broaches, to jeweled train cases, to bejeweled eyebrows, jewels were everywhere. Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, and Balmain were the main designers who set the trend.

Text Caitlin Beck
Image Fashionlatest.net

Candy-Coated Accessories

A few bold and bright statement pieces are perfect for the ambiance of spring. A mixture of pink, orange, and yellow make a spring palette very reminiscent of candy, because it's sweet and a little bit tart at the same time! The colors vary, of course, but they coordinate very well. 

With the addition of just a few items, you can add sparkle and glam to the simplest one-piece garments, such as maxi dresses, jumpsuits, and rompers. That’s not too difficult, right? Going for a neutral colored one-piece would be chic and ultra-charming. It would provide a great amount of balance to these bright accessories. Wondering what neutral colors would fit best? Go for a tan or a nice, crispy white.

Check out the statement pieces behind the jump...

Hermès and Ban’s Paper Pavilion

Luxury retailer Hermès and Japanese architect Shigeru Ban have worked together to create a project entitled "Hermès x Shigeru Ban's Paper Pavillion," which was a part of a special exhibition at the Design Tide event in Tokyo. The entire ensemble can be taken apart and put back together, as the structure was made entirely out of paper — a signature of Ban.

Hermès used the store as a pop-up shop to promote their home product line. Furniture and interior design objects were arranged in the space, similar to how a homeowner would have the pieces arranged if they were their own.

Text Quinn McBee
Source Trendhunter.com

Top Picks for Tough Tees

Leather isn't just for bikers anymore. The tough couture was all over the runways this past fall, from luxury collections like Hermès and Louis Vuitton to contemporary lines like Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg. Leather jackets have typically been the go-to option for the upper body, but the new must-haves — leather tops — bring a fresh appeal for a rough-and-tumble chic.

The leather shirt is quite versatile — it can be worn to work under a classic tailored blazer or for a night out on the town with skinny jeans and a sleek pair of stilettos. For a sophisticated approach to the trend, 3.1 Phillip Lim offers a sculptured top combination of royal blue silk-armure and caramel leather. An effortless way to make an impact is the Elizabeth and James Chantal blouse, crafted with leather cuffs and trimming.

Text Tiffany Frasier 
Image 3.1 Phillip Lim

Wrist candy: Watch is the new black

Picking out a timepiece can be a very extensive yet an astonishing process for anyone in the market for a new watch. We stop in at our local jewelers or big department store retailers to see the goods their assertive sales people have to offer your personal taste. As many of you out there have clearly noticed, watches these days differ very much so from the 1920’s watch that was transformed from a pocket watch. Now a days its all about the bling-bling and the chunkiness of gadget that sits on our wrist. However, since the adverse economic crisis we’ve noticed a new trend amongst many timepiece collections, less is more; black. The little black dress has turned into the big, bad, black watch. Several of designers, from Toy to Breitling and Hermes have learned to scoop up this trend quickly because of its popular demand; they’re onto something here. The beauty of this new movement for timepieces is the option to take something casual and wear-to-work-ready into a dressy and sophisticated watch for formal wear. From this picture, check out which watch you’d like to see appear on your wrist next; price varies from $160-$5,000.

1. Citizen, $475

2. Gucci, $1,795

3. Victorinox Swiss Army, $550

4. ToyWatch, similar style $195

5. Swatch, $160

6. Hermès, $2,625

7. Breitling, $4,935

Text Jordan Bossman

Source(s):saks5thave.com

Hermès Gets Personal

The beloved french fashion house will celebrate its Madison Avenue face-lift this Wednesday, May 4th with an opportunity for customers to choose from a selection of iconic prints and have their own messages or monograms embroidered on the silk. This is part of the "Life in Silk" line that has been available in the Paris flagship since September. Choose from the Hermès standards of flouncing paisleys, smart checks, or a very relevant animal print, but make sure you do quickly--in true Hermès fashion the treasures are only available to few for a short time!

Text Hannah Morris

Source: Vogue

Photo: Hermes

J'aime Mon Carre

I love my scarf, I love your scarf, and I certainly love luxury brand Hermés, two London pop-up stores dedicated to its iconic scarves. The first has already opened and sadly closed after three days of joy at the East London Rochelle School of art, Shoreditch. The second will thankfully be open until the 9th of December in West London’s Ledbury road. Both stores offer shoppers expert advice on how to style their Hermés scarves, and just in case you can't take it all in, due to over excitement, there are photographers in-store to record your look. Chances are it may very well be everything you could ever dream of in silk, colour prints and it well be. Whilst sadly you may not wake up on Christmas morning and find one propped under your Christmas tree, after a trip to these stores they are bound to be featured on many wish lists.

Text Katriona Flynn