Newsletter - Autumn/Winter 2006

Hello and welcome to our winter fashion update!

The look of the season is sheer elegance. Almost an eclectic mix of Hollywood’s golden era with luxurious textures and fabrics such as velvet, chiffon, faux fur, satin, corduroy, mohair and wool. Fabrics are less ornate and more textured in tapestries, embroideries, crochet, lace confection, washed velvets appliqués and gold encrustations.

This introduces a Russian inspired look wrapping up coats with faux fur trim, waist ties and waisted belts. Inspired by Dr. Zhivago the coat is the look of the season. Princess coats and belted coats fitted or with full skirts. The coat may be embroidered appliqué or printed, double breasted or large lapelled.

The new colour of the season is black. Black is the colour of chic. The Hollywood greats like Audrey Hepburn and the ever-stylish Duchess of Windsor taught us the hidden beauty of the slimming black. Black on black crochet embroideries draped, twisted, embroidered, black wool or velvet face profiles. As suits are making a comeback, black can also be worn with crisp white large cuff shirts. Suits are cut with shapely jackets, shoulder wide lapels, a Manish feel with precise tailoring and carved silhouettes accessorised with soft frilly shirts. Pin stripes take a lead in edgy suiting. After black, turquoise is the tone for the season followed by the blue family, plum, green, topaz, red and saffron.

The pant takes on new meaning. Pencil pants, cropped pants with boots, high waisted and then converts to almost leggings. This takes legs to a whole new dimension. Leg warmers, dark opaques, patterned hosiery, tights and three quarter tights or fitted pants under dresses and tops. Lace tights, textured, patterned, and a sea of colour teamed with boots. The shoe of the season is the boot. Ankle boots, over the knee boots, from velvet to appliqué and fabric covered. Lace up boots, riding boots, stacked high heels – there is a boot for every occasion.

Other accessories include quilted bags, embroidered, structured with top handles. Fur and sheep skin accessories accompany most things and the platform shoe takes on a new shape. Round toes are still predominating however the square toe is creeping back to the forefront with designers such as Galliano and Balencciaga.

Knits hit the street with mohair crews and v-necks. Head to toe knits, arm and leg warmers, boleros and beanies. Following closely is sheepskin particularly featured in this season’s aviator jacket and boots.

The Militaria fashion feel continues throughout winter 2006. Officer’s coats, Navy pea jackets, the cargo vest and duffel coat takes us through those chilly days. The dress is back in full flight with a raised waistline. Hemlines float just below the knee with a 40’s and 50’s Hollywood feel.

Hair and Make-up is inspired by the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Big hair, full, curled or crimped, heavy longer fringes accompanies make-up emphasising the eye with expertly applied black smudged eye pencil. Lip colours are nude and baby pink through to fuchsia and liner free lips stained red. A sophisticated dramatic look, sexy and feminine; an inspirational palette for the season.

Ladies, enjoy a very glamorous winter 2006. Gentlemen start thinking texture, layering and always impeccable grooming. Always interpret the fashions to suit your body type and life style. Don’t be a fashion victim.

Until soon!

Lizzie Wagner

* Thanks to the Fashion Group International for information and fashion directions