Winter 2014 Fashion Report

The freezing cold and bitter winds of winter seem to divert designers into two distinct mindsets. The first is the classic evolution into darker colors, allowing the slim and somber look to negate the inevitable “Michelin Man” layering. The second is to escape. Offering complete fantasy and whimsy, lighting up the dark days like a Vegas marque.

Dolce & Gabbana has always offered drama but sparked a huge trend with its “Enchanted Sicily” Winter 2014 collection. Velvet capes decorated with swirling jeweled vines and woodland foxes. Dresses hand painted with gilded gold keys and wild roses. There was nothing utilitarian about these woodland princesses.

Rising designer Ashish Gupta was also unable to deny his winter princess fantasies. His models all wore tiaras, along with classic gray sweatshirts scattered with sequins and the occasional huge satin bow.

Keira Knightly was feeling especially fanciful at “The Imitation Game” premier in a pink silk dress with a gilded-silver locket print. The look was finished with a gold and ruby belt so there was no mistaking her inner mystical princess.

Live out your own dance fairy tale with these glamourous and whimsical looks!

Every winter those who are chic, face a mild yet serious internal struggle: white or black for a winter coat? Black: timeless, slimming, and winter appropriate. White: a new on-point classic and cleansing of the dark winter dreariness. But the modern urban woman knows it’s hard to keep white looking “fresh and cleansing” with a mushy winter commute. This season, designers have blended the two classic colors to offer tones of gray in a crisp and utilitarian rebirth.

Alexander Wang showcased an edgy youthful winter collection with outerwear inspired by hiking gear, all rendered in a smooth slate-gray palate. The collection was punctuated with knee-high boots and button-up shirts. His customer: the modern warrior of the city.

Emporio Armani played with the feminine and masculine elements of the color gray. His short-bobbed models sauntered out in gray pinstripe suits and large bowler hats. A sort of glamourous Charlie Chaplin vibe was expressed as suits developed into dark gray fringe jackets and nubby tweed cocoon coats.

Recently the Duchess of Cambridge looked royal and chic visiting Singapore in a gray plaid Alexander McQueen coat and matching hat. Another regal lady, Angelina Jolie, wore an elegant dove gray ensemble by Ralph & Russo couture while receiving an award for her humanitarian work.

Bring this fresh and classy neutral to the ballroom this winter with these simply graydient gowns!

A growing appreciation of myth and fantasy leads to a greater appreciation for culture and craft. The interest in African-inspired fringe and beading is continuing even stronger. African folklore is also inspiring a few saturated pop colors this season, with rustic oranges, reds, and turquoise recalling tribal masks and pottery. The ancient craft of embroidery is also intriguing several designers this season in new ways. Large embroidered motifs on unconventional garments are redefining this threadwork craft as the hot texture of the season.

Giles Deacon worked with acid orange and blue thread to create expressive hummingbirds across his collection of outerwear and sportswear. The large designs, embroidered on classic black suit jackets, give the stitchery a very youthful outlook. The collection closed with black and white orchids embroidered on silk eveningwear.

As embroidery is extremely labor-intensive and expensive, it will probably not appear easily at commercial-level markets. However, the embroidered look is also sparking more interest in thread, rope and beaded jewelry.

Dazzle the ballroom not only with your dance moves, but also with one of these intricate and detailed numbers!