Wednesday, February 13, 2002
12
FASHION
Adia Keeler
Fashion Editor
NYFASHION626 @ hotmail.com
Trend, Colors, and Patterns for Spring 2002 Season
Most designers for spring 2002 are
sticking to two types of styles: eclectic
and ronnantic. Designers are still refer
ring to the hippy years of the 60s and
70s. Designers have mostly stuck with
clothes to gently graze the body instead
of “choking” it. They are going for the
airy and comfortable look, but at the
same time sexy and feminine at all
times.
Colors for spring range from neu
tral, white, natural, and earthy to bright,
vibrant, and bold to all shades of pastels.
Denim will still be a big thing to have this
season, but they are introducing more
styles- tie-dyed, frayed, and even striped
denim. But the dominant color that we
will see is different shades of white.
Now, designers are introducing
many types of patterns this season.
Many patterns are inspired from Afri
cans, Mexicans, and also from Native
Americans (basically a lot of ethnic
patterns). There will also be animal,
abstract, and [70’s inspired] patchwork
patterns. Also we will see a lot of stripes
and ruffles this season. For the edgy
look, designers have incorporated grom-
mets, rings, snaps, and studs to every
piece of clothing. Since February is here
and many stores are already preparing
for the spring season, let’s get started on
doing our thing for the spring!
Beauty and Hair Tips For the Spring
Spring is emphasizing on a fuss
free makeup. They suggest exquisite
and seductive eyes. Anything from the
smoky-eye trend to colors of beige, gold,
copper, and chocolate (neutral). Our lips
are central to our appeal. How you
choose to show off your luscious lips is a
personal preference, but just don’t forget
the gloss. Any color goes from muted,
pale colors to bright and vivacious reds.
The biggest hair influence in hair
beauty is -BRAIDS. Not just average
braids or Pippi Longstocking but ethnic
inspired braids. Cornrows, plaits, pony
tails, etc. from Africans, Native Ameri
cans, and Mexican women. For the
glamorous and runway model look,
braids are still hot but in a totally different
way They are called, face-framing plaits. ^
If you are not into braids, cool. I
have some more tips for you. Fashion
and Beauty designers recommend loose
curly hair, thick bangs, slicked back hair
with straight parts ( no more (zigzags,
please). Whatever hairstyle you desire or
rock, always remember your gold hoops.
You just can’t go wrong!
Men’s Fashion-Spring 2002
For all my brothers who thought I
was sleeping on them in most of the
issues, I didn’t forget about you’ll this
season. This spring, ya’ll are encourage
to do your thing, too. The trend rarely
changes for men, but I have a couple of
fashion ideas to heighten you spring
wardrobe. Color is anything goes as
long as it isn’t just black. A dominant
color that was made for women goes for
men also-white. Pastel colors are big for
men, too (fashion offers ya’ll manly
versions of pastels). Prints and patterns
are big item for men with a hence of
bright colors and crazy patterns. All
fashion designers have agreed that if
you wear denim, there are a few types
that should be introduced to your collec
tion. They include dark, faded, distressed
and whiskered denim (the faded marks
that are near the crotch, Guirbab and
Guess have a nice collection). Leather is
a must-have item for men. The motor
cycle aesthetics jackets are hot. If you
choose to wear leather, go for an an
tique, vintage look. For my professional
brothers, fashion designers offer you, the
modern black suit, a plain black suit with
modern standpoints and a slim silhou
ette.
Sneaker for men are the same as
they were in the fall season. Vintage
style Adidas, old-school Asics, and any
retro style Nikes. Top brand-name
designers have collaborated with various
sneaker companies and are now offering
the public vintage-style sneakers, too.
According to top designers like
Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Sean
John, and Hedi Slimane, spring fashion
for men will be fun, individualistic, fresh,
and new “romantique” (I have no idea
where he was going with that).
Designer of The Month
This issue and as part of Black
History Month we pay homage to Sean
“Piddy/Puffy” Combs. At 22 years of age,
Sean Combs started at an internship at
Uptown Records. This proved to be the
beginning of a successful movement for
Combs. In 1993, Puffy signed an exclu
sive arrangement with Clive Davis of
Arista/BMG Entertainment to distribute
his newly formed company, Bad Boy
Entertainment. Then in 1998, after rapid
ascent in the history of the entertainment
industry, he launched a clothing line,
called Sean John.
Sean John consist of 32 piece is
clothing: shills jeanswear, casual sports
wear, outenwear and knitwear. Each look
was designed to represent a cool, easy,
and spirited take on sportswear. Sean
John’s urban clothing line is geared
primarily to the audience of men ages 12
to 40.
The Sean John made its debut in
Spring of 1999, in some of the nation’s
finest department stores and specialty
stores. In 1999, Sean John projected
sales were well over $32 million. In a
news conference. Combs stated “Under
stand that we are not in the clothing
business for a quick hit, but we are truly
committed to the expansion and growth
of the men’s marketplace and will use all
of our resources to ensure that quality in
both designs and production of Sean
John always exceeds your expectations.”
He closed the conference with this
statement, “We would ultimately like to
have the Sean John line viewed as the
Future if Fashion.” Since that conference,
Sean John has opened 25 more shops-
in-shops and is forecasting a $200
million profit within the next five years.
We congratulate and honor one of the
youngest, multi-talented entrepreneur of
our times.
Individuality is going to be a strong
factor in determining the right outfit for
you, but the accessories are limited this
Spring. We are going to see a lot of
fringed bags, leather bags, decorative
and detailed bags, platform shoes, flats
and “Jesus” sandals. Along with bags
and shoes come jewelry. There will be
turquoises, beads, and embroidered
jewelry. The trend is simple and I have
what you need. I am going to tell you
everything from shoes to purses to the
type of jewelry you should be strutting
around. Here is a list of what is going to
set you right for the rest of the semester.
1) Retro platforms
2) Thick wooden heel shoes
3) Elegant sandals
4) Logo earrings and name plates
and rings
5) Mirrored shades (HOT TO
DEATH)
6) Thick, slim; cloth, leather, and
beaded belts
7) Trench coat, military-inspired
jacket, and bombers
8) Brooches (especially butterflies or
flowers)
Purses get their own paragraph
because the fashion game has switched
Hottest Accessories to Have this Spring;
everything. This season we are going to
see less conservative BLACK bags and
more purses with color, designs and
even different shapes. Designers are
going with basically “visually stimulating
bags. The colors vary, but a lot of
emphasize will be on camel and white.
The designs are embroidery patchworH
butterflies and florals. They’ve introduce
an old bag into today’s fashion trend- |
slouch bags. They are the ones that we
pull the stings to open and close them.
Straw bags are still in as well as all
types of denim purses. I believe in my
heart that denim bags are going to
synonymous to our everyday black
leather purses.
There are a lot of changes that
were made in the sneaker department,
too. We are no longer going to see
chucky or all soles sneakers. We are
going to see form fitting and chic sneak
ers. It’s all about a clean look, slim tofi'
and all feminine. Designers were lean
ing toward a flexible sneaker with a
sporty edge, but with a cutesy look. So
ladies, this season please stay with the
trend of clean lines, sleek, and comfort
when it comes to sneakers.
All Photos Courtesy of styles.com
Designer of the Month- Sean Combs