Doll's Eye View: London Spring '14 Fashion Trends

Doll sized digital prints inspired by Mary Katrantzou

I admit, the London fashion scene has not always been my cup of tea. Between the stodginess of  "Queen Mum" aristocracy and the extremism of raw "Punk" from the rough side of town, I've had difficulty finding that sweet spot I felt I could live with. Of recent, however, I've had a total change of mind. While most of the industries seem to be stuck in the last century,  today's young Brits have embraced technology as a way of propelling fashion into the 21st century. And they are doing it with textile design.

London Fashion Week produced many styles created from digitally printed fabrics. When combined with super simple silhouettes, similar to the 1960's "Mod" styles, one has the feeling of witnessing something truly special, new and unique.

In addition, there was lots of experimentation with textures, surface treatments, all with a very simple base. What this means for you and your dolls is that you can stick to patterns for sheaths, shifts and basic jackets, but you should go crazy when it comes to creating new textures and textiles for those garments!

Not everything was crazy. From time to time, there were classic clothes, even eveningwear that smacked of old-fashion luxury, which made us wish for more. Here in our doll-centric summary of London Fashion Week, we've chosen clothes we thought were stand-out examples of items we think will inspire you to not just create the garments, but to experiment with creating your textiles as well.

STARS & COBBLESTONES

CONCRETE JUNGLE

It's gritty and grey. It uses ordinary materials already in your environment. Play with paper, melted plastics, tortured fabrics. Just keep the dress simple!

YIKES! STRIPES!

Stripes are big. Stripes are bold. Stripes are hot especially when they are black and white! Don't fret about not finding the fabric in your local stores. These are stripes you create by stitching strips of fabric together to create your own (like the doll standing in the forefront).

Stripes of all types and sizes are in style. Wear them loose in caftans or fitted as in knits. Go crazy with a zebra stripe or one that is more free style like the doll to the far right.

DIGITAL DIVIDE

Taking a classic silhouette and propelling it into a fresh new look for THIS century....digital printing can create a pop art look using a wide variety of over sized photo collages. We recently showed you how to print your own fabric using your computer and printer. There's also the photo transfer paper if you want a more "plastic" look. Our girls in green is wearing a Katrantzou inspired look. We photographed a man's shoe, pushed the hue and saturation in Adobe Photoshop Elements, then printed it out on cotton muslin.

PHOTO FINISH

This technique isn't new and we have seen similar fashions at the Zara boutiques. But still, we can never get enough of photo printed garments like those by Jean-Pierre Bregazzi. The middle dress is one we featured (Prints Charming) prior using photo transfer paper.

In each case, it's as if the image defines the silhouette and detailing of the garment. Print your fabric, then let your imagination take you away!

THE INKSPOTS

Free form painting, images of ink slowly dissolving in water...these abstract forms work well in silhouettes that softly float over the body.

SUMMER SOUVENIRS

 Digital printing continues.... a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns.....motifs stamped over a wrap around cotton shirt...silhouettes are loose and cool (and easy to sew).

TIRE TRACKS

The little black dress with a brand new twist. Four fun dresses that, thanks to interesting surface treatments, are anything but boring. Again, this is about taking a basic shape and embellishing it with scribbles, rubber, plastic openwork.

 

SINGING THE BLUES

Though a lesser trend, the color blue has emerged as a major color for Spring 2014. Here, you see a variety of looks and treatments from hippie chic and menswear to Mary Katrantzou's oversized shoe prints. In the middle, our girl, Tonia, was inspired by Marques Almeida's denim pantsuit.

 

 

MIRROR IMAGE

We love Tom Ford for bringing a new style of bling to eveningwear. While sequins and beads continue to be tried and true staples, he along with Julien MacDonald used mirrored mosaics glitter night time looks.

LA CHATELEINE

Even though London is about experimentation, funky prints and avant-garde, there are still houses doing classically elegant and positively beautiful eveningwear. A special nod to Julien Macdonald and Temperly London, both of whom had aristocratic collections!

Next week: Our girls report from Milan Fashion Week! Stay tuned!!!!

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