TRENDS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

What will fashion be like in Spring/Summer 2006?
APLF shows you six trends that are coming up strong for the season.

Ethnic Fusion
Inspirations: Multicultural influences --- Africa, Latin America, Spain, Indonesia. A bold blend of hot colors and motifs with a strong tropical look. Sexy and sultry. Warm and passionate.

Shapes: Casual and loose as in peasant smocks, full skirts, tunic tops, gathers and puffs, asymmetric hemlines, pinafore tops and dresses, kurtas and caftans.



Details: Appliques, sequins and discs, contrast piping, ribbon trims, handcrafted finishes, beading, fringing, overlaying of leathers, batik / wood-cut prints, ethnic prints with traditional designs, jungle prints of palm leaves, tropical flowers, animals


Fabrics: Natural fabrics like linen, washed cotton, denim, silk jerseys, voiles, cotton knits, seersuckers, madras checks, tone on tone weaves.



Accessories: Thongs with multicolor bands in stretched nappa leather, strong leather bags with lots of trims, belts made from cut-leather shapes, espadrilles with patterned fabrics, big studs, wooden soles, big pendants and earrings.

Colors: Fresh and lively. Hot colors are tastefully toned down with cooler hues. Coral pink. lemony yellow, fresh greens, aqua, turquoise and royal blue are cooled by grey, beige and sandy white.






Feminine Touch

Inspirations: Soft femininity. Translucence. Romantic tales with ethereal characters. Opulent yet delicate styling reminiscent of Oriental dresses. Arts and crafts.

Shapes: Cropped, seemingly shrunken items like bolero jackets, mini-skirts and waistcoats are combined with blousy tops, puffed hemlines and sleeves, billowy skirts.



Details: Flat-pleated frills, folds, bows, gathers, rosettes and pleats, hand-stitching, embroidery of flora and fauna in metallic yarns, appliques, delicate floral patterns, printed silks, corsetry, stripes, loose straps and ties.

Fabrics: Lightweight silk, jersey and cottons, organza, voiles, and gauzes with panels or patches of lace or lacy crochet.



Accessories: High-heeled lacy shoes, open-toed high heeled shoes in suede with mesh inserts as accent, straw hats, handcrafted jewelry and hairpieces, suede bags with central plisse and folds, cloudy or washy kid pumps with covered buttons, leather thongs with floral/leaf accents.

Colors: Light and feminine. Airy blue, creamy ecru, dusky pink, limey green, barely- there pastels, white, metallic grey, soft gold.





City Girl

Inspirations: Girls with attitude. Sporty, streetwise young ladies who retain their femininity.

Shapes: Rolled hem pants, garments with ties and straps, baby-doll smocks, tunic tops, cropped jackets, capelets, halter necks, asymmetric shapes, sweatshirt dresses, shorts.

Details: Straps and ties, frills, ribbed waistbands, tiny buttons, metal button flies, childlike prints, graffiti, stripes, retro graphics, plastic cord stops, Boy Scout buckles.



Fabrics: Soft jersey, brushed cotton, lightweight cotton, "washed" denim.

Accessories: Pumps, wedge sandals, flat or low slippers in printed nubuk with natural accessories, flip-flops with decorative foam soles, athletic shoes with printed linings, bracelets, watches and rings with dainty bead trims.



Colors: Colors are subdued, even somber, in contrast with feminine silhouettes. Dark teal, grey, green, and purple are set against white and cream. Hot pink provides a colorful break.





Revolutionary Chic

Inspirations: Military states. Industrial Revolution.

Shapes: Cropped jackets, tailored outfits, uniform-like silhouettes, wrap blouses/dresses.



Details: Military style braiding and buttons, frog fastenings, badges, industrial details, graphic prints.

Fabrics: Satin with matt trims, printed denim, jacquard, suede.



Accessories: Classic bags with graphic prints, wide belts, strappy high heels, sling- backs, jewelry with exposed screws and bolts.

Colors: Bold red and yellow are subdued by cold grey, blue, and taupe. Soft gold is used for accent.





Sporty Set

Inspirations: Country clubs. Boarding schools.

Shapes: Short tennis dresses, playsuits, pleated skirts, shirtdresses, neat waistcoats, cardigans, boxy jackets, cropped pants, shorts.



Details: Flat pleats, pintucks, contrast stitching, square buttons, piping, tassels and ties, splatter prints, geometric patterns.

Fabrics: Starched cotton, flat woven fabrics, jacquards.



Accessories: Woven leather bags, sensible loafers, high-heeled strappy sandals, sneakers in printed leather with pvc point and heel, aviator style sunglasses, purses, pendants, bracelets.

Colors: Lemony yellow, black, dusty rose, ivy green, dark blue, white and tan.





Second Skin

Inspirations: Reptile skins, seduction, the exotic, the female form.

Shapes: Narrow, skimming and following the curves of the body; skinny trousers, waistcoats, slim skirts, draped blouson styles, soft jersey wraps, knitted tops.



Details: Asymmetric cuts, irregular edges, stitched leather, beaded button fastenings, reptile scales, stripes, mosaic patterns.

Fabrics: Soft suede, leather, jersey, cheesecloth, denim, patterned fabrics combined with plain panels.

Accessories: Reptile embossed leather bags, strappy sandals, ethnic-inspired pendants, chokers and bangles.

Colors: Neutrals such as beige, ecru, and white are combined with spicy shades of yellow, orange and browns. Purple adds a dash of brilliance.

Publisher: aplf
For over two decades, Hong Kong-based APLF Ltd has been providing the global leather industry with its most important meeting and trading place. The Asia Pacific Leather Fair is organised by Asia Pacific Leather Fair Ltd, a joint venture between CMP Asia and SIC Group. With APLF Ltd as the catalyst, companies in Europe, the Americas, Australasia and Asia come together to trade and exchange information at a number of fairs. These include the flagship APLF, which incorporates the annual MaterialsManufacturing and Technology event and the bi-annual Fashion Access shows. APLF Ltd has pioneered the industry's push into mainland China with the ground-breaking All China Leather Exhibition. This important fair will run concurrently with the China International Footwear Fair and Moda Shanghai in the same venue. Simple and easy to understand, APLF offers a recap of Spring 2006 trends focused on footwear, handbags, and small leather goods. The website offers an excellent trend section that highlights the most popiular trends from Spring 2006. The site offers information for both the exhibitor and visitor at the Fashion Acess Fair.
Web: www.aplf.com
Published: september 2005
Market: mens womens
Region: china
Industry: apparel

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on sources including Trade Shows, Associations, News Releases, Government Reports and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof.