Trends in Accessories and
Women’s RTW from

PREMIERE CLASSE & PARIS SUR MODE
Trade Shows – October 2011

Paris, October 2011 –

Recession.  The word is everywhere, and the world of fashion is no exception.  It was no surprise, then, that even the designers at trade shows taking place during Paris Fashion Week both reflected and made bold attempts to defy an uncertain, nervous global mood.

Though overall attendance numbers at the crucial PREMIERE CLASSE accessories show were down over 2010, big international buyers were still trawling the aisles, searching out THE bag, shoe or bauble that would give their shops the edge with the cutting-edge, luxury consumer.  Once again, the high-end segment of the market was the focus, because, as show director Sylvie Pourrat explained, “…visitors come to PREMIERE CLASSE to find special favorite products…and our role is to maintain a logical selection process while introducing them to unexpected and unusual products.”

The key to survival in this market is, therefore, more than ever, creative fervor and boldness, best seen for Spring/Summer 2012 in BRIGHT COLOR , TEXTURES OF NATURE and the COMFORT of NOSTALGIA.  The worn softness of vintage clothing and bright tones of decades past could bring back memories of happier times, whilst protective items and solace from nature could provide extra reassurance in a turbulent age…

MAJOR TRENDS SEEN AT PREMIERE CLASSE AND PARIS SUR MODE…

ORGANICALLY YOURS

• Patterns from the natural world sprouted everywhere…hives, cobwebs, watery drips…
• The calm of texture – Aged, soft leather and thick wood were prevalent in bags and shoes.
• In colors – Vegetal green was recurrent, and powdery, flesh tones were common.

LIFE AND DEATH

• In troubled times, a search for meaning makes sense, even on the fickle fashion planet.  Everyone looks for some type of protection from the vicissitudes of globalized living.  Every bit helps, even in the form of “good luck” charms that might carry a very personalized message.
• The Supernatural and Otherworldly are omnipresent, with skulls in unexpected places (such as on umbrella handles), amulets all over, and a profusion of “protective”, sentimental jewelry.  A Darker, Gothic influence seeps in, with cobwebs and a voodoo feeling. The reassurance of spiritual protection rubs up against a realization that there are Dark Forces at work.

A Counter to the sinister sentiment arrives in the form of nostalgia for what seemed like a happier, more carefree period – the 1970’s.  Two influences inspired by that decade were seen on show…

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

• Elton John plays his magical piano, wearing his trademark, massive glasses.  Such “shades” were notable at the show, in a kaleidoscope of fantastic plastic.
  

  Photo credit: Première Classe

• Glam Rock was alive and kicking as well, with patent shine, platforms galore and electric color vibrant.  This color trend extended its retro reach all the way into the early 1980’s, with Neon Brights in almost every stand at the shows and Rainbows showing up here and there.
• The essential Punk influence of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s also made an appearance, with studs on bags and shoes, though reinterpreted and softened for today, shaped like stars and not always in metal.

TAKE IT EASY

• Another ‘70’s tribute, in keeping with the evocative reassurance trend, could be seen in an Easy-Shape, Hippie Nomad mood.  In terms of Shapes, caftans and halter necks abounded, as did almost Ukrainian-style, embroidered peasant blouses.
• In Accessories, the free and easy woman reflected in this story wears wooden sandals or espadrille-inspired footwear, all on a high platform, of course.  She drapes herself in long dresses and multi-layered scarves in washed-out earth tones, as though they had been worn on a long desert trek.  She carries a well-worn, softened leather satchel.

For more on Key Directional Colors and Specific Collections of particular interest, contact Allegra at info@pariswriter.com