NATIONAL: International trend forecasting agency WGSN has given Ragtrader Online an exclusive preview of its highly-anticipated Australian seminar series.
Presented by leading senior fashion editor Sue Evans, the event will present and analyse looks from international spring/summer 2008 catwalks, tradeshows and street trends.
'Global Tribes' is highlighted as a key look for the upcoming season with inspirations drawn from far-flung regions such as Africa and Native America. Print inspirations veer from the bold graphics of tribes like the Ndebele to primitive dye techniques like ombre, dip-dye or tie-dye, batik and shibori. Understated silhouettes act as a canvas for bold prints and embellishments with key colours including black and white, brown and grey with accents of yellow.
Colour blocking is also an important trend with simple garment shapes acting to diffuse potent, quirky colour combinations. Blue rears its head again as the dominant hue of the season but in place of the popular Yves Klein combination, Evans said buyers could expect to see bright azure-toned blues take on a new emphasis.
Key street trends hail from the West Coast of America with the 'Skurban' look hailed as the look to watch. Described as a mash-up of several street looks, it mixes skate culture with elements of hip hop and cycling. Purple is the key colour for Skurban kids while flashed of gold and diamond are also important in creating the overall look. Other features include slimmer silhouettes with 80s styling and musical influences such as Run DMC, hardcore punk-reggae band Bad Brains and Indie sounds like Morrissey and The Cure.
The Melbourne seminar will be staged on November 20 at the National Gallery of Victoria while the Sydney event will take place on November 22 at the Art Gallery of NSW.
For more: 03 9533 6171 or www.wgsn.com
PIC: WENDELL TEODORO