3.1 Phillip Lim: Incognito Super Heroes

At the 3.1 Phillip Lim show yesterday, the runway looks combined powerful contrasting neutrals with textures. Most of the looks had crisp, tailored jackets and pants with a razor-sharp crease. Although we’ve seen some very colorful fall 2012 lines, this was not one of them. The pops of color didn’t come up until later in the show, with a few orange and turquoise accents. Lim’s RTW line was made of mainly black, cream, beige, and gray. The inspiration? Lim said it was the “modern-day superheroes walking around us every day.”

Models walked the runway in pointy pumps and boots through a fog machine. Like the structured pieces, the patterns on the clothes were geometric. Thick, chunky sweaters softened the theme in some of the looks, but the show had an overall theme of power. Appropriately, plenty of caped jackets were part of the theme. This collection has plenty of subtle “day” looks for the modern super heroine.

Text Emily Thomas
Image WWD

Pastels Pop This Spring

Seeing spots? Hope not, because that is simply not healthy. But seeing pastels and flamboyant candy color hues sure is. It is now becoming a well-known fashion fact that pastels and dandy candy tinges are back in the spotlight. And boy, do they ever shine!

Philip Lim sent his girls dressed head-to-toe in pastels for his spring 2012 ready-to wear collection. Models adorned basic frocks, misty tangerine pants paired with sweet lilac tops, and flowing white cardigans. For those too shy for the tangy pastel pants, Liam created another pair — this time, the pantalones were pink to perfection.

Spring 2012 may have fashion fanciers transported back to the seventies, as style houses like Missoni and Alice + Olivia are doing their mod thang. Missoni sported a multi-colored pastel knit mini, revealing that pale blues and dainty pinks are not for Easter eggs anymore. Alice + Olivia was not shy when it came to showing clothes in bright confections of pastels. Hello, Pepto-Bismol pinks and sea-foam greens! Altogether, these cutesy garments look tasty enough to eat, but be warned: Just because the color is pastel doesn't mean there isn’t any edge.

Text Katelyn Chef
Source & Image Style.com

A Touch of Gold

A touch of an accent as bold as gold will bring life to any outfit. Neutral tones may typically dominate fall wardrobes but, to add a glam factor, gold is the go-to luxurious shade in high demand this season.

Metallics have been hot for a while, but gold has never been so prominent. With so many shades, textures, and styles to choose from, it’s hard not to jump on the gold wagon this season and add a little glamour to your fall wardrobe. The otherwise formal metallic can create a high-contrast look when paired with a simple knit sweater and khakis, or dark denim jeans and a fitted blouse.

Whether it's in a shiny gold leather jacket by Phillip Lim or in Jason Wu's slinky gold leaf tunic dress, the rare material is being used by designers to make strong statement pieces.

The decadent shade makes for a variety of options, from trousers in muted tones appropriate for the office, to mini dresses beaded in gold sequins, to gilded accessories that excude modern elegance and sophistication.

Text Tiffany Frasier 
Images courtesy of Balmain, Dries van Noten, Jason Wu, Phillip Lim

The Crop Comes Out Of The Fashion Vault

The Crop Top, popularized by likes of the Spice Girls and Britney Spears, is making a quick return to the fashion scene. Whether it be fashion greats like Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim, or the racks at a local store of Urban Outfitters and Forever 21, the Crop Top is back.

There is a huge difference between the Crop of the Nineties and the Crop of today. First, this seasons Crop Top has a boxy silhouette where the past is much more a shrunken shirt. And second, these shirts aren’t all about showing your tight and tone abdomen, it is all about drawing attention to your waist. These tops should hit below the belly button and slightly about the waist of the pant, making it a style that can be worn by anyone.

This trend isn’t just for the ladies, designers like Calvin Klein and Frankie Morello prove that men can rock the Crop too. There is a major difference between the two tops. The mens top is a lot looser and usually worn over something. In some cases, it is a lot higher on the abdomen, showing a whole lot more of the toned abs. Be careful ladies, the men may be taking over what was once considered your territory in the fashion world, all while looking pretty impressive.

Text Dalton Brasington

Trending: Shirt-dresses To Take You Everywhere in Spring

Although shirt-dresses never really left the fashion scene, the designers behind Rag & Bone, Phillip Lim and NAHM revisited and reinvented the classic silhouette for A/W 2011. The shirt-dress can take you anywhere from day to night and work to play, not to mention that it flatters all shapes and sizes, making anyone look put together without really trying at all (that's the trick, isn't it?). Of course as with any classic staple, it doesn't hurt to accessorize to make it all your own. So whether wear these with combat boots, wedges, a belt or some quirky jewelry, look smart in these fun must-haves for spring!

I Don't Like Mondays Evil Twin Revolution in the Classroom Shirt-dress (pictured above), $37.20; Cheap Monday Whitney Dress, $90; Madewell Scenic Route Dress, $126; Shakuhachi Army Mesh Shirt-dress, $187.20; Something Else Haze Slash Shirt-dress, $128; Urban Outfitters Sparkle and Fade Dress, $59. Levi's x Opening Ceremony Onesie Skirt Dress, $280.

Text Kristina Bravo

Source: Fashionologie.com