Spring Fashion Philosophy 101 by Sharon Mosley on Creators.com

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Spring Fashion Philosophy 101

Sometimes we all need a little dose of creative thinking, especially when it comes to fashion and figuring out exactly what the next BIG thing is going to be — not that any of us would admit to being fashion victims, heedlessly following whatever edicts are issued by the runways of the world's style capitals. However, most of us can't help but wonder just what is going to be the next HOT color ... after all, we might just want to buy something new to make us feel a little bit better about the world we live in — at least the world inside our closets.

One online company is leading the way in providing trend "philosophies" for creative professionals in the fashion and style industries: www.Stylesight.com. Stylesight is headquartered in New York, with a forecasting atelier in Paris and satellite offices stationed in style capitals spanning the globe. Sharon Graubard, senior vice president of trend analysis, makes it her job to predict all the fashion news for upcoming seasons. Here are some of her insights for spring 2010 to get us motivated in a positive direction:

— Spring '10 will express an optimistic outlook, she says. "In the current economic climate, we move away from fleeting trends and take a more thoughtful approach to fashion. Women will invest in high-quality pieces that last, whether because they are timeless classics or limited edition, 'future-heirloom' pieces that express a woman's particular style. Both classics and collectibles have staying power."

— Color will communicate an alternative point of view, according to Graubard, the way wearing black used to. "There will be beautiful, sophisticated combinations of color, even interesting neutrals like cosmetic shades working against khakis and whites," she says. "Prints will be artist-influenced, with painterly blurs, hard-edged facet motifs, big placed landscapes and subtle texture effects. Fabrics will be futuristic and technical or humble, worn-in and aged. Sweaters will resemble cobwebs with big openings and loose crochet techniques.

Sheer overlays will have an airy, crystalline quality."

— Bohemian lifestyles will also continue to impact fashion. The word "Bohemian," says Graubard, doesn't just refer to eccentric ethnic-mix looks popularized by '60s hippies, although that era continues to inspire designers. "We will also see a re-exploration of '90s grunge for street looks, with casual plaid shirts, thermal underwear pieces and freeform layering of print and pattern."

— Another Bohemian direction turning up on the streets is the Beatnik look, notes Graubard, with girls wearing short pixie-ish hairstyles, rolled-up jeans or straight skirts, and plenty of black eyeliner — very artsy and intellectual, similar to how girls dressed in Paris or Greenwich Village in the late '50s or early '60s. "Designers have been picking up on this look a bit on recent runways, and it may influence what we will be seeing for spring 2010."

— With fast, throwaway fashion becoming less important, there is a shift in interest toward clothing itself. According to Graubard, silhouette and tailoring take center stage.

"Fall's defined shoulders will continue, as will structured jackets and hourglass shapes," she says. "Draping, twisting and ruching are other ways to shape garments, especially knits. It's almost like couture techniques will be applied to threadbare tees and jersey dresses. Heathered sweatpants will become elegant enough to wear with elongated sleeveless blazers or with supple leather jackets.

"These hard and soft elements will be worn at the same time, in new, modernist ensembles. Garments begin to resemble sculpture for the body, with volume, artisanal techniques and experimental fabrics bringing fashion into the future."

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.