Splash’s fashion guide to high-street trends for SS’12

Spring has sprung and taking a sneaky peak into season’s hottest trends, the Splash wardrobe looks back at simpler times where fashion was straight to the point. Taking cues from the best of catwalks and going for four key themes namely ‘Artisan Stroke’, ‘City Sportif’, ‘Resort Retreat’ and ‘Aqua Gods’, the SS’12 collection explores the choicest of trends coupled with the chicest of shape that are classic yet bold and edgy, vivid prints, colors and designs.

While in recent seasons, fashion trends have dictated girls borrowing from the male wardrobe, the offerings for SS’12 indicate a definite return to femininity and glamor. The trend of combining handcrafted looks with all-things tribal is reflected through ‘Artisan Stroke’ where women are dressed in lustrous silky fabrics alongside jersey, satin and nylon. Mixed-message prints with micro patterns, graphic stripe blocking and deco-inspired geometric are available in key colors like orange, emerald, black, old gold, navy, white. With North African tribal feel for inspiration the treatment is hyper-real in nature. Tropical undertones add a vibrant feel to classic femininity in designs like asymmetrical skirts, deco-dresses and printed trousers. Men wear the same trend in material like linen or silk, smooth or printed cotton in crumpled finishes with over-dyed effects and textured knit. Traditional filigree and arabesque motifs in ethnic African prints, engineered dip-dyes, ikat weaves and prints are key treatments given to earthen colors that are balanced with solid neutrals in tones of orange, rich berry and marine blues.

The next big trend to take the fashion world by storm is ‘Resort Retreat’, a perfect way to unwind with the 60’s for inspiration. The clean graphic lines of simple and dropped-waist shifts, pinafore dresses, A-line skirts, and collarless cardigan jackets, printed shirts with cigarette pants and knee-length shorts with highly decorated fabrics lend texture and depth to these beautifully simple silhouettes. Decorative brocade and jacquard thatis are offset with simple daisy and 3D floral print and trims in fabrics like satin & cotton pique. Hawaiian and aloha floral mixed with a bit of rock n roll, men sport boxy casual jackets, blousons, half-sleeve shirt with softer tapered low-rise pleated pant shapes, skinny jeans and printed pants. Shades of grey and white, offbeat mid-tones of burnt orange, parrot green, Saxe blue and yellow ocher are contrasted with fabrics like lightweight suiting, drapey viscose, micro checks, twill and jersey.

Changing it up for the season fashionistas mix elements of utility sportswear with modernist shapes and a raft of functional layers in ‘City Sportif’. Women turn up more elegant with styles that are either timelessly feminine or sporty and active-inspired. Mod, nautical and prints inspired by the flora and fauna of the islands are used in looks that are created with contoured seaming. Zipped-through dresses, cropped tops, racer-shoulder vests and tanks, athletic shorts, mesh knits, tailored sports jackets are the key products to sport this look.. Color blocking is here to stay and uses bright tones and photo collages, either in one garment or via ensembles featuring solid-colored separates. Cut-and-sew styling and lightweight outerwear takes on practical functional styling details for a sporty feel with Olympic inspired graphics for men in color blocked neutrals primarily black, white and grey matched with neon bright accents.

This season underwater inspired themes ruled the catwalks and keeping in sync Splash introduced ‘Aqua Gods’, a collection inspired by the colors of the famous Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’, painting which are sea foam, aqua, mother of pearl, opal, sand, gold leaf and coral. Iridescent, tailored and couture-like women wear ankle flare trousers, light peplum jackets, sheer shirts in asymmetric draped shapes, swimsuit neckline, frothy ruffles and panel pleats while men complement with lightweight jerseys, shiny and dressy jackets and trousers.

So whether you need early concepts which draw inspiration from the world of shimmer in Aqua to the 60’s in Resort, solid backups to your hunches when exploring Tribalism and a bit of sport inspired city collection , or fresh ideas for updating your wardrobe throughout the season, the well-researched Splash collection which will be in stores starting January 15, 2012 is the go-to destination.

About Splash:
Headquartered in Dubai, Splash is Middle East’s largest fashion retailer and part of the Landmark Group, one of the biggest retail conglomerates in the Middle East and India. Founded in 1993 as a single brand store in Sharjah, Splash has grown to over 140 stores and 50 brand stores across 10 countries.

With an eye for the latest global trends, Splash captures the essence of fashion in everyday life. The brand has connected with its audiences through collection, emotion and attitude thus carving a niche for itself as one of the most successful local players in the region’s high-street fashion category. Splash showcases popular collections for men, women and teens with a wide offering of fashion apparel and accessories to suit the customer’s every lifestyle need.

Splash’s brand portfolio consists of in-house designed collections and a gamut of international brands like Lee Cooper (European denim brand), Arrow (American Apparel brand), Bossini (Hong Kong based leisurewear brand), Kappa (Italian sports brand), Maui & Sons (Californian surf & lifestyle brand), UMM (Italian Music Inspired Brand), Zodiac (the Business shirt & Tie brand) Smiley World and Barbie among others.

A brand which constantly believes in raising the bar, Splash is acknowledged as a trendsetter in the region. The Splash Fashion Show held twice every year is by far the most popularly awaited event in the social calendar of the region. Another first for the brand and in the region is the Splash Limited Edition Calendar which is now in its Second Edition.

Splash has received several significant industry accolades that include being awarded the recent “Superbrand” status 2011 which is twice in a row for the brand. Also listed in Forbes Arabia’s “Top 40 Arab Brands” list, Splash has also been awarded by Dubai Customs for being the highest importer of ready-made garments in the UAE. A winner of several marketing awards of great significance over the years, Splash has recently won the Most Admired Marketing Campaign at the Retail ME Awards 2011 along with the Most Admired Retailer award.


For more details visit Splash’s website www.splashfashions.com