The Mudpie Autumn/ Winter 2011 trend event reported a move favouring an altogether more wholesome attitude towards fashion consumption, and consequently what they’re expecting our catwalks to offer post recession…
 
 

We have long been guiltily aware of that throwaway, fast-fashion addiction that has gripped our nation’s spending habits over the past few years, providing instant gratification from chucking in a couple of £5 party dresses into the shopping trolley, alongside your vegetables and Sunday roast.
 

However, now that the recession is reportedly taking an upturn, industry  experts Mudpie are forseeing a new attitude towards old values, embracing creativity and reflecting upon a bygone era where practicality reigned without so much as an ‘it’ bag in sight.
Instead of cheap catwalk copies, the new trends echo longevity and fit, and most importantly, reflect our current environmental awareness.
 
Let’s see how these style predictions can be deconstructed and adapted into our own wardrobes…
 

Synergy
 
Think more new-age eco warrior, less peace-loving hippy. This look is about clean, fluid lines and Nordic influences, embracing imperfection within beauty and celebrating innovation.
The trend invokes a romance between practicality and creativity, as shown on the A/W ’10 catwalks at MaxMara via loosely tailored pieces in corresponding muted tones.

On the brighter side, the high street has eco-friendly products with the price tag to match, such as the ASOS Africa collection, reflective of the creative and geometric prints this look demands whilst in-keeping with the loose structuring. A paper-bag skirt presented in vibrant grey-blue (£40) is also a key colour for the season, echoed  through the Nordic influences.
 



 
For your Scandinavian fix, head to Versace’s A/W ’11 collection for influence, taking note of the blues and complimenting textures.
 

 
These looks are best complimented with a metallic block stiletto to maintain a streamlined effect, again seen on the catwalk at Versace.
 
  
 
 
Primal
 
Bursting with natural undertones, look to palettes of olive and tan shades, conjuring up a story of rebirth from our former detached, clinical lifestyles.
Following the recycled beauty theme, there is an emphasis on reworked fabrics such as fading and customising, influenced by travellers and festival-goers - a style which is probably the easiest to re-interpret.
 

Asos, as before, have a wide range of style to suit every pocket and preference. Particularly relevant, their festival guide provides outfit suggestions and features, such as this textured khaki green Warehouse dress (£55), perfect with old converse and a distressed denim waistcoat.
 

 
For key primal colours, Chloe are renowned for their use of earthen tones and draping within collections, and their A/W 2011 collection does not disappoint.  Their use of understated silk blouses combined with the classic camel coats and wide-legged 70’s trousers are reminiscent of a bygone century.

 
For Chloe style at a fraction of the price, try Reiss’ elegant blouses, perfect as workwear, dressed up or down (£110).
 
 
Innovative
 
The final trend revolves around the advancements in technology and how consumers are focusing on innovators, moving away from the saturated celebrity culture.
 Sci- fi materials in neutrals are juxtaposed with natural mints, and pleating, quilting detailing identified as key features. The pragmatic undertone relays the need to find solutions to the current environmental issue, looking to new and creative methods of presenting products.

 
A collection to perfectly illustrate this trend was the A/W ’11 by Alexander McQueen. Influenced by period costume, these silhouettes are contrasted through ethereal and new-age colours, with each piece carrying his unique design flair; tapping into the running theme of individuality opposing mass consumerism.

To get this look on the high street, head to Topshop for directional pieces with futuristic and simple detailing.
The elegant lines on this blouse are complimented with the futuristic sleeves, reminiscent of the 2009 A/W trend for emphasised shoulder detailing.  This fantastic piece comes in at £18, a bargain for such fashion forward design.
 

For more interesting detailing reflective of the futuristic element, take inspiration from that pinnacle of fashion, Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld captures the current environmental concerns through his A/W 2011 show, featuring  fur edged  muted tweed and icebergs that melted as the models paraded round.  His controversial statement highlighted how pressing the need is to consider our effects on the planet, to the extent that designers are now taking note and looking to other ways of expression, a sentiment which perfectly supports the innovation trend.

 
 
These trends are evident in their running theme; the environment is becoming more and more of a pressing issue. Synergy recognises that there needs to be a harmonious union between creativity and practicality, finding pleasure in more simple ideals whilst not losing a flair for expression. In relation, Primal taps into the very basis of our existence, looking to natural colours and dressed- down approaches to dressing. And to summarise, Innovative encompasses all of these elements, but presents them as an alternative and very real view of how the future should be shaped.
 We should focus on the quality and tactile aspects of the clothes we buy, relying on tailoring and structure to ensure that personal style is still maintained.  Instead of a rainbow of inconsistency, colours are more natural and muted, with splashes of aqua and blue to surprise.
 

For fashion, ultimately, it’s a relief not only to our wallets but our conscience too, that conspicuous consumption is no longer the desired look ‘a la mode’.

Words by Katherine Humphreys.

If you liked this article, you may also like No Shave Today, Beard Tomorrow...

Let us know what you think about this article by joining us on Twitter, direct your tweets to @TheFashionNetUK 

Recent comments...

You must be registered and logged in to post a comment.

All comments submitted on this page do not express the views of MFN, we will endeavor to remove any offensive, rude, defamatory comments.