Wide ranging themes create a multitude of choices and looks.
With the AW’12 blockbuster trends already at the top of every fashionistas shopping list, the Splash season collection is all set to offer high-voltage fashion trends that draw inspiration from the most popular catwalk trends, across the globe. Ranging from retro mix of the 19th century to tapestry and heritage classics and all the way to military alongside some Eastern futurism, the trends are given a spin to provide chic and elegant fashion. Beautifully married into the Fashion 365 campaign of this season, the looks are presented against a billowing background as florals and lace, bonded fabrics, fur and fabric combinations, felted wool and silk make the sartorial cut. So, the question is how will you play all this and more into your wardrobe this season? While fashion is looking outside of its own borders, the ‘Plush age of Aquarius’ finds inspiration from the rich carved appeal of the 19th century which is a culture clash of colour, print and pattern. With Belle Époque and Baroque Rococo as inspirations and Bohemian skirt silhouettes teamed with long-haired gilet, the silhouettes are all about sharp tailoring, peplums, throw-on or slouchy jacket shapes. Black is plentiful throughout textured floral as an offbeat mix of electric blackberry, bitter chocolate, aubergines and plum brown darks are worked with a tawny coral and mauve grey. Unexpected brights come in the form of ribbon red and autumnal ochre all worked back to a dusted flesh tone neutral. Decorative influences are important within the trend and glamorous evening wear is decorated with luxurious lace and embroidered with touches of gold.
Turn up the simplicity and forward march into the season with ‘Military’ which has re-surfaced as a key trend for the season. Military tailored pea coats, capes teamed with pencil or long pleat skirts, pocketed sweatshirts with skinny pants and jumpsuits remain an integral part of the collection. Silk finished fabrics give a slick appearance while felted and boiled wool, cotton drill, twill and canvas are the other materials used. Hints of leather, satin and sequin additions raise the glamour quotient, while new camouflage prints are already being promoted by pop stars. AW’12 sees ‘Retro’ make a comeback but in a new avatar, with the French feel of the early 60s as a key influence. Dusty neutrals, cosmetic tones and powdery pales are teamed with charcoal, orange and brown as the season’s ‘It’ colors, where the trend features simple funnel-neck coats and boxy cropped jackets, shell tops and skirt suits, shift dresses and tunic knits amongst others. Also keep a look out for simple shapes vs. detailed merging and contrasting patterns that are available in bonded fabrics, stretch sateen, twills and jersey with fur and fabric combinations.
Next in line are traditional tapestry patterns and textures in decorative floral motifs, designed in eye-catching intense brights and set against the stark contrast of black, navy and white. Heritage classics are updated while pop highlights of racer navy and ultraviolet add a sporty contemporary feel to the collection of capes and ponchos in knits or tweed, circle and skater skirts, printed leggings, vintage-look lace blouses and jacquard knits. Fashion is all about tales of ancient empires this season where oriental motifs and kimono detailing exude a wealth of exquisite ideas. ‘Tales of the Orient’ sees an integration of Eastern influence reformed and redefined by its Western aesthetic. Beautifully brocaded kimono jackets, elaborate obi belts, cheongsam-style dresses in a rising-sun red colour, while judo jackets in hi-tech fabrics and graphic Chinese prints are available in this collection.
Not to be left behind, male trends are dominant once more. With a clear gravitation towards all things formal, upright and strong the suit and smart tailoring is certainly the focus of the season. Soft woolen suiting’s have a formal elegance with contrasting lapels and capes as directional outerwear options. The season also finds its cues from historical influences drawn from the Victorian and Edwardian eras of haunted poets and aristocratic men. Severe silhouettes, pieced fabrics and layered proportions give a new meaning to all sorts of masculine styles, while double-breasted jackets remain essential to the season.
A small yet strong trend is ‘Military’ which makes a comeback, with uniform inspired jackets in tailored forms as a wardrobe staple. Henley shirts are styled with soft woolen pants while olive drab and grey are the prevalent hues in this trend. Next in line is a collection inspired by the ‘Windsor Lodge’, where layering wool, tweed and cotton is key and adding texture is an earthy natural color palette. Checked cotton shirts with contrasting denim collars feels fresh and can be worn on mended pants and jackets with corduroy or canvas patches.
A sophisticated take on active wear continues to inspire men’s casual apparel where formalwear is mixed with casual-inspired active wear. Preppy Ivy League style dressing continues to gain momentum as rolled up trousers inspires a casual silhouette and the cropped parka becomes a must-have item. As the refined and romantic nature of the season sets the mood, inky darks and unexpected romantic jewel tones are often worn in head-to-toe tonal ensembles, while black still rules the roost but is mixed with masculine metallic’s adding an opulent splendor to the season.
So when it comes to the AW’12 wardrobe, be it safe separates, accessories to covet or the colours and fabrics to start injecting into your wardrobe, be sure to visit your nearest Splash store as we have the season sorted for you. To further keep you on the cutting edge, we have also put together a webisode on our very own Splash TV, interpreting the key looks with some gossip on what goes behind the scenes of our Fashion 365 campaign. Tune in and get inspired: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n55Iaa9L-ao&list=UUX3IqF0YTBn2gfO5BivrCFA&index=1&feature=plcp
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 150 stores and 50 brand stores across 11 countries. With an eye for the latest global trends and reflecting an everyday attitude, Splash’s ‘Fashion 365’ binds together a collection that creates a definite style statement.
Scaling new heights, Splash has taken a step forward into the world of fashion by realigning its product offering to meet the ever-changing lifestyle demands of its customer and re-instating their trust in the brand. Showcasing popular collections for men, women and teens, Splash has revamped its existing product portfolio and introduced a uni-brand concept across its stores. Offering and creating a unique shopping environment, this concept will give customers the ease of browsing through various collections, all under the brand name Splash but divided into categories like Splash Youth, Splash Woman, Splash Accessories, Splash Smart, Splash DNM and so forth. Alongside, Splash will also house a gamut of international brands under its portfolio like Lee Cooper, Bossini, UMM, ELLE and Being Human among others.
As a brand Splash believes in constantly being a trend-setter in the region and has successfully created some of the biggest and most popular brand properties/events which have now become part of the social calendar of the Region. With constant revamping of the marketing portfolio, newer forms of communication are added and channeled to keep the consumer involved. The Splash Calendar and Splash Fashion Shows are by far the most popular annual and bi-annual events in the brand’s portfolio of events.
Splash has received several significant industry accolades that include being awarded the recent that include being awarded the “Superbrand” status 2012 which is thrice in a row for the brand. Also listed in Forbes Arabia’s “Top 40 Arab Brands” list, Splash has also been awarded first runner at the Grazia Style Awards 2010, as ‘Best place to Spend AED 500’. A winner of several marketing awards of great significance, Splash has recently won the Most Admired Marketing Campaign at the Retail ME Awards 2011 along with the Most Admired Retailer award.
