If there was one ‘UPdo’ that united designers this winter it had to be the ponytail… it was everywhere! And not for the first time - it was also huge on the spring/summer 2012 catwalks.
At Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dries Van Norton and Calvin Klein winter catwalks the ponytail was seen in a number of guises. At Valentino there were models with ultra girly ponytails with black ribbons tied into their hair. At the Louis Vuitton show the ponytails had more of a dominatrix feel with more than a nod to the fetish look, while Emanuel Ungaro also had sleek ponytails which also looked very fetish chic.
At Diesel Black gold hairstylist Guido Paulo created wet look ponytails while at the Herve Leger by Max Azria show the models had more architectural looks.
Whilst winter may be an exciting time for many reasons, cold weather wreaks havoc on your hair. If you have braved the cold and survived to see the arrival of spring, taking a cue from the spring and summer trends for this year can actually help you in more ways than one. Get your tresses ready for the most social season of the year with these essential restorative hair care tips.
Switch your products.
Your hair reacts differently to changing environmental conditions, and it is important to keep up with these changes by switching your shampoo, conditioner, and styling products. You may have needed a heavier kind of product to combat winter dryness, but lightweight, natural products will serve you well this spring. The John Frieda Full Repair line, for example, provides moisturising ingredients like Inca Inchi oil that work without weighing hair down. For best results, cleanse with the Full Body Shampoo and Conditioner, and then use the lightweight Perfect Ends Sheer Mist to repair those split ends.
London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012 may be over but you can still watch the fabulous catwalk shows which took place. Here are some of our favourite designers!
The PANTONE Fashion Colour Report Fall 2012 was recently revealed which comprises of an overview of designers’ use of colour in their upcoming collections. It is a vital tool for the fashion industry and features the top 10 colours for women’s and men’s fashion for fall 2012, designer sketches, quotes and headshots.
After New York Fashion Week, Pantone surveys the designers featured then collects and puts together feedback on prominent collection colours, colour inspiration and colour philosophy. This happens every season and once the report is created it is used as a vital reference tool throughout the year for fashion enthusiasts, reporters and retailers. The colours featured are picked from the PANTONE FASHION + HOME Colour System which is the most widely used and recognized colour standards system in the world.
The top colours for women’s fashion for fall 2012 are:
PANTONE 19-4056 Olympian Blue
PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango
PANTONE 18-5338 Ultramarine Green
PANTONE 17-4014 Titanium
PANTONE 15-1142 Honey Gold
PANTONE 18-2133 Pink Flambé
PANTONE 16-3817 Rhapsody
PANTONE 14-1506 Rose Smoke
PANTONE 19-1012 French Roast
PANTONE 14-0445 Bright Chartreuse
The top colours for men’s fashion for fall 2012 are:
PANTONE 19-1012 French Roast
PANTONE 19-4056 Olympian Blue
PANTONE 15-1142 Honey Gold
PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango
PANTONE 18-5338 Ultramarine Green
PANTONE 17-4014 Titanium
PANTONE 19-1652 Rhubarb
PANTONE 14-0445 Bright Chartreuse
PANTONE 16-3304 Sea Fog
PANTONE 12-0304 Whitecap Gray
The fall season sees designers taking inspiration from fantasy and illusion to transport consumers to an enchanting world where an unexpected mix of darks, brights and neutrals are taking place.
Bright Chartreuse helps bridge the gap between summer and fall. It is a yellow-green shade which pays homage to a typical spring shade and is reminiscent of bright green foliage. A gorgeous colour to help liven up your wardrobe.
A stunning vibrant shade to see you into fall is Pink Flambé. Its vivaciousness brings statement and when teamed with Tangerine Tango you’ll create a retro feel. For a different look, combine these warm tones with Ultramarine Green, a deep cooling blue-green for a calming fix. A quiet, muted-tone comes in the form of Rhapsody, a greyed-down purple offering an ethereal feel to it.
Olympian Blue provides strength and is sure to make its way into fall and winter athletic apparel whilst Honey Gold, a mellow burnished yellow, suggests the soft-muted tones of sunlight. French Roast makes for a lovely alternative to black and charcoal basics thanks to its richness. Other neutrals include cool grey Titanium and Rose Smoke which are both elegant and versatile.
The colour selections for men are very similar to the women’s Fall 2012 palette which will appeal to everyone. Intense Rhubarb is a deep hue and is best teamed with Tangerine Tango and Honey Gold. Another great combination is Ultramarine Green with Bright Chartreuse and Olympian Blue – makes for amazing winter athletic apparel!
Off-white shade Whitecap Grey and Sea Fog, which is a grey with a muted purple cast, provide the neutral basics. They exude a subtle, quiet confidence and masculinity and can be combined with Titanium for a sophisticated look. You could even combine all three in a dress shirt or tie with basic, versatile French Roast for classic fall attire.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, said:
“By playing to consumers’ practical side with versatile neutrals, and boosting their confidence with bold, spirited hues, this skillfully balanced palette has something for everyone.”
