Spring 2016 Fashion Report

Spring seems to be synonymous with ease; cherry blossom trees relax their petals and sallow, winter skin begs for less wild wind and more sunny strolls. And designers, too, dream of well-deserved pauses. This breath of fresh air comes in the form of breathtaking tribal-inspired dresses and accessories. Ornate, textured, and charmingly enigmatic, Valentino exemplifies this trend through fringed collars, rhythmic beadwork, and dropped waistlines.

At the Grammys, Kacey Musgraves wore an opulent Armani Privé strapless gown that feathered and flowed in zebra layers of jeweled tones that included sapphire, emerald, and amethyst.

Opting for a different approach, Diane Kruger looked safari-bound in a stormy blue Prada slip dress with streamlined black wisps reminiscent of peacock feathers. Her creative take on the tribal trend is admirably understated and extremely versatile.

Start playing with this trend through beaded jewelry, triangular and stripe-filled patterns, and saturated, lively colors. You will be the dancing queen of the couture jungle!

As more exercise leggings and sneakers can be seen skipping along the concrete sidewalks in New York, designers this spring make the argument that the athletic fad is fashion brevity. The delicate, sweeping, effortless looks of necklines that embrace and accentuate femininity are fashion’s very backbone- its punctuation and structure. Victoria Beckham’s eponymous brand’s spring collection is a lesson in the vocabulary of necklines. Arguably the best exclamation point to any spring look, the right neckline is equal parts punchy, modest, and alluring.

Model Dree Hemingway wore a stunning Erdem dress in scarlet lace whose classic silhouette was juxtaposed by a frothy, slightly elevated collar. The jewel neckline made for an avant-garde take on an ethereal favorite.

Lily Aldridge wore a simplified ivory Prabal Gurung slip dress whose gorgeously lineless and perfectly elusive shape was complimented by a square neckline. The open and angular collar provides the perfect frame for a smiling face.

Mastering the art of stylish dressing requires exploring different ways of painting the canvas that is the décolletage. To amplify everyday outfits, try jewel, peter pan, scallop, turtleneck, and boat collars. And for an innovative ballroom look, experiment with keyhole, boat, square, asymmetrical, and scoop necklines – this can be just as exciting and striking as a bold color or statement print, but is infinitely more artistic, feminine, and thoughtful.

Spicing up the spring runways, the monochromatic trend is a study in the power of minimalism and reflection. With the romance of a black and white photo and the drama of an Ellsworth Kelly painting, the monochromatic trend allows for any single color to take the stage, putting its best foot forward in different hues, values, and shades. This encourages admirers and wearers to take a backward step from the spastic, ceaseless prints and colors that are normally associated with spring and opt for a bold, confident, committed look in any single color from sangria to marigold.

The always-glamorous Rihanna donned a tiered lavender Armani Privé gown that positively poured lengths of violet and lilac onto the red carpet in an exquisite waterfall of purple.

Similarly, Adele twinkled in an all black Givenchy floor-length gown that was modernized and elevated by onyx sequins and matching shadowy nail polish.

Kate Middleton embraced the monochromatic trend in a forest green Sportmax dress-coat that was accented by a matching emerald skinny belt. Shades of green never looked so fresh, modern, timeless, and enchanting.

This look is wonderfully universal, but can also seamlessly be personalized. Indulge in an extravagant, vivacious color; wear monochrome that has moodiness and personality, staccato and voice.

Dance through spring while donning a shout of color quite literally from your hairpin to your hemline!