Spring 2012 Trend Report

The Animal: Birds

Designers used hummingbirds, swans, and pheasants in their bold creations this season—from abstract, graceful lines to three-dimensional birds perched on the chest and shoulders.

Commuun

Kenzo

Marc by Marc Jacobs

The Palette: Pastels

Versace to Vuitton, knee-length to floor-length, designers gave the season a sense of airiness with a range of pastel tones.

Louis Vuitton

Prada

Preen

Valentino

Versus

The Item: Peplum

From Jason Wu to YSL, the peplum reigned supreme. Whether worked into a blouse or jacket, the flared design is this season’s must-have accoutrement.

Jason Wu

Giorgio Armani

Loewe

Nina Ricci

The Detail: Baroque Flourishes

Ornamental designs were all over the collections this season. Whether found in the fabric or fine embroidery, they added a touch of the regal.

Andrew Gn

Aquilano e Rimondi

Stella McCartney

The Silhouette: Drop Waist

Shapeless flapper-style dresses are trending this season, with some designers modernizing the 1920s style by drawing the line just around the hips

Chloe

Giambattista Valli

Reed Krakoff

The Theme: Deep Sea

This season’s designers took a dive into the deep blue and came up with pearlized shell clutches at Chanel, coral embellishments at Alexander McQueen, and shark-tooth necklaces at Givenchy.

Chanel

Peter Pilotto

Thom Browne

Versace

The Print: Digital Imaging

From Akris to Mary Katrantzou, designers brought our tech-filled lives to the runway this season by using digital photographs—including a tropical jungle landscape, a spirited bow, and wrapping paper.

Akris

Dries Van Noten

Mary Katrantzou

The Body Part: Midsection

Whether fully visible or through a window of fabric, flashes of skin revealed tight abs this season.

Acne

Altuzarra

Anthony Vaccarello

Carven

Emilio Pucci

The Fabric: Matte Satin

Elegant and edgy, Balenciaga, Miu Miu, and Victoria Beckham went beyond 2012 with their sleek, modern designs.

Balenciaga

Christopher Kane

Lanvin

Miu Miu

Victoria Beckham

The Inspiration: Abstract Art

Models donned swaths of solid color and geometric shapes this season. From Barbara Bui’s clean, modern lines to Hermès’ angular couture, the art world’s twentieth-century geometric abstraction movement made its way to the runways.

Barbara Bui

Gucci

Hermes

Marni

Proenza Schouler

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