Nasassistic

By NASA MARIA ENTABAN

alltherage@thestar.com.my

ONCE again the seasons have changed in trend-setting countries, and with Fall/Winter comes some brand new trends.

Many old trends have been given new and creative twists, and designers are introducing plenty of fresh looks that local fashion lovers will be thrilled to try out.

Let’s take a look at some of the key trends of the season:

In-style shades

Katy Perry in a metallic silver gown by Dolce & Gabbana.

The Fall/Winter season always brings about darker hues, but this doesn’t mean you should abandon brights altogether. Punches of bright colours to liven up an outfit are encouraged, as well as colour blocking.

Key colours of the season are scarlet red, indigo, uniform grey and military green, but one trend you simply have to adopt is metallic. Whether its gold, silver or bronze, try it out on tops, skirts, bags, shoes or even an entire dress like what Katy Perry wore to the Katy Perry: Part of Me premier in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil recently.

Blend your metallics with other colours, and if you’re not a big fan of the hue, get it in belts, accessories and shoes.

Light outerwear

Blazers like the one Maggie Grace is wearing are still a hot trend.

Fashionistas in colder climates will be piling on the layers this season, and we can do the same, just with lighter fabrics like soft leather, cotton and silk.

Outerwear like cardigans, capes, blazers, jackets and scarves are a hot trend right now, especially the more “masculine” variety.

Military and uniform-inspired pieces, as well as bomber and biker jackets, military trench coats and boyish blazers are the way to go this season.

Look East

Taylor Swift at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.

When it comes to dressing up for an event or a dinner party this season, look no further than our own back yards. Experts have predicted that Eastern-inspired blouses and dresses will be a massive trend this Fall/Winter, and so far we’ve seen quite a few pieces on runways worldwide.

Take a cue from the cheongsam and wear your slits high, and keep an eye out for Mandarin collars on tops and dresses.

Kimono-inspired dresses and tops too, are slowly working their way into our stores, and loose kaftans, while already pretty established in the local fashion scene, are making a comeback.

Prints

Step out in nature-inspired prints like Kerry Washington.

Nature is a running theme this season, so look out for animal prints, feather motifs, floral patterns and leaves of every kind, appearing on skirts, tops and bottoms.

There are plenty of other prints to choose from if nature is not your style, so check out geometric patterns, aztec designs and your usual plaid, stripes and checks for the more androgynous dresser.

Other key print trends are 60s graphics, optic contrasts and tapestry. There’s plenty to choose from so take your pick!

By NASA MARIA ENTABAN
alltherage@thestar.com.my

FASHION is always at an all-time high at the beginning of the year, when awards season comes around.

While the major awards events have all ended, there are still plenty of movie premieres, posh fund-raisers and less-publicised awards shows where our favourite stars can strut their style on the red carpet.

Spring/Summer fashion is still hot but there are heaps of Pre-Fall looks already making their way onto runways and red carpets everywhere.

Many are toning down their bright and bold hues and shifting into a cooler colour scheme but there are plenty of stars who are still out there rocking summer shades.

Let’s take a look at some red carpet trends that we can’t wait to see in our stores:

Turn on the flash

It’s never too early in the year to come out in a shiny ensemble like the one Ashley Rickards (above) wore at the 2nd Critics Choice Television Awards, especially if it’s for an awards show or swanky event.

Ashley Rickards

When going full metallic, gold or silver, be mindful of your make-up, accessories and shoes. Minimal accessories like a chunky ring or a simple cuff will complete the look, and throw on a pair of nude heels. Make-up should be subtle and avoid shimmery eyeshadow and lipstick because the overall combination of flashy make-up and a shiny dress will end up a bit too over-the-top.

Drop it like it’s hot

The easiest way to spruce up a simple outfit is to throw on some eye-catching accessories, and what’s better than a pair of fabulous earrings?

We all love our hoops and studs, but when it comes to a red carpet event or an important dinner, bring on the drop earrings.

Natalie Zea

Whether they’re an arrangement of stones or an unusual pair like the ones Natalie Zea wore at the Critics Choice Television Awards, these earrings are the way to go as they give your neck an elongated look. You can wear your hair any way you like, but an up-do is best to complement the earrings. After all, you don’t want them to get tangled in your hair.

Leg-out

Angelina Jolie sort of set this trend in motion earlier this year by stepping out on the 84th Annual Academy Awards red carpet in a thigh-high slit that showed off her gorgeous right leg.

Skin is always in, but it depends a lot on how you choose to flaunt your legs, and right now the way to go is slits.

Carly Rae Jepsen

The slit (or slits) is the perfect way to show some skin without looking too trashy. Carly Rae Jepsen’s black gown at the recent MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada, would have been pretty boring if not for the carefully crafted slits down the front. And thanks to the clever cut, it not only looks elegant but adds just the right amount of sex appeal to make the outfit work.

The Vincci+  peeps showed me a few great picks out of their spring/summer collection last week.

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