Prints: what's there to be afraid of? A simple tee, a drab skirt, and even a bad hair day hidden with a scarf can be suddenly fashion forward with exciting graphics. Tracy Reese has always taken note of this as well as Marc Jacobs, who goes the extra mile into Printsville with pattern mixing. So go out there and let the bold you be free in a top that doesn't go with anything!
I doubt that little fashionistas will be knocking voer mannequins to get to H&M's collaboration with Marimekko in April. But if you don't, you may miss something just as sensational as the high profile collaborations that H&M has forged with designers such as Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf and Roberto Cavalli.
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Marimekko, a Finnish textile designer joins forces with my favorite afforadable one stop shop to provide prints that tap into the ethnic trend that is sure to break through your closets come Spring.
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Marimekko prints were it in Finland in the '70s. Sure, Finland wouldn't be the first place I'd look to for a fashion cue but their prints are definitely something to call home about. See some of their vintage work from the '60s below... So abstract artsy.
Joonas. Designed by Maija Isola, 1961
Petrooli (Petrol). Designed by Annika Rimala, 1963
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You can always depend on Suno for a collection full of prints done in consciously bold taste and the Resort 2011 collection is no different...well, just a tiny bit different.
Suno designer, Max Osterweis forgoes the Kenyan prints which the line became known. In place of the rare fabrics are custom prints in swirls, zebra and artsy florals. Max keeps us on our toes, don't you love that?!
//ENTIRE SUNO-RESORT 2011 COLLECTION//
A huge fan of Proenza Schouler, I wasn't surprised that designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez produced another innovative and lust-worthy collection! The backbone of the collection--the Native American blanket prints that were literally zoomed in on until pixelated. Highlighted with pops of color as if extracted from points on the prints, the collection is like a mosaic of sorts. The thumbnail gallery does a great job of showing that.
Stay tuned for the behind the scenes post of the collection by Jak & Jil's Tommy Ton.
On my profile, one of my interests are "clashing prints worn together." I've blogged about pattern mixing as there really is a technique or else you'll look like you got dressed in the dark.
The NYT has taken up this subject, battling the notion of something "not going together." In today's style, almost everything goes:
"...From skate kids (for whom nerdy plaid has become a badge of honor) to British and Italian dandies (for whom the graphic prints and stripes of Paul Smith and Etro are sober neutrals), the old rules about pattern-on-pattern dressing have been tossed on the style scrap heap..."
Read more HERE.
All photo credited to NYT
A simple pattern mixing tip, which I learned at my first fashion magazine internship, is that you have to stay within a color family--not to be confused with only one color.
So like the guys above--guy number one wears patterned dark-ish teal and blk pant and a red, kind of intense salmon tee. The multi-burgundy scarf plays up the dark qualities in both.
If those colors were together on a chart they'd meld. So it's not really about the pattern as much as it is about the colors. If the colors are right, the patterns fall in together flawlessly!
Now go out there and throw some stuff together!
Right in line with the end of fashion week and American Apparel's shot at prints like never before with it's Afrika series, M.I.A. finally releases her eponymous clothing line that satisfies our need for fresh digs and ethnic prints.
Visit her website at shop.miauk.com for her eclectic collection of bombers, sweatshirts, tees and spandex jumpsuits. 
Photo Credit: Shop.MIAUK.com
Photo Credit: Lookbook.nu via Woori G. This reminds me...I want a wool aztec print poncho for the fall and a west african print dashiki for the spring and summer.
What are you craving for the seasons to come?
When the trend strikes, designers romanticize foreign ways of dress and fabric prints like kente cloth or Asian Ikats. The adaptation can either rob the culture of its significance to the consumer or produce something that is beautifully beyond the "American" aesthetic.
These designers have made educated decisions in their use of prints and styles ranging from the costume-y to the ready-to-wear.
Dries Van Noten, Style.com 
I'm on my Carine Roitfield--not wearing jeans of late...
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"Even though jeans suit me, I never wear jeans."
--Carine Roitfield, NY Magazine, Feb. 28, 2008
Here's what preceded that quote...interesting.
"The American editors are very, how you say, slick," Roitfield says. "Very Perfect. Hair is perfect, they have a manicure. They are very clean, they follow fashion. I don't think they take many risks. They do the total look of Prada. Me, I wear a lot of Japanese piece mixed with a bit of classic Hermes and Prada."
I don't know about all that...My slickness goes as far as my bangs on a good hair day. Otherwise I love the free feel of chipped nail polish and eclectic prints and combos. And to follow fashion literally is to rob yourself of personal style and creativity. No? ;)
Left: Old H&M top I dug up, AA high waist pencil worn short, Middle: French Connection graphic tank, AA tulip skirt (I know, give it a rest :/), Right: Old trapeze H&M top I dug up, AA high waist pencil worn short
I have become obsessed with African prints! I have yet to put them in heavy rotation in the wardrobe and I'm quite a slacker for that but I've always had a Pan-African twist to my personal style.
Like Sam, I also went to Dance Africa and was overwhelmed by all of the beautiful people and the gorgeous tapestries. It reminded me about this amazing editorial that Alek Wek did for UK's Financial Times May issue. Diaspora chic at its best!
The Bruuns Bazaar, one of my favorites, offered so much to look forward to this year. The video wouldn't download! Ugh. But you can view the show here.
In the BZR [younger, diffusion line] show, we see a relaxed look for men and women. The design duo gives us plunging Halston-like necklines for women and loose fitting suits for men.
The signature line gives us a fall trend report with dramatic trench coats of wider sleeves and lapels for women and the super turtlenecks almost hiding the male models faces!
Henrik Vibskov showed us dizzying prints in stripes and polka dots as well as drapy jumpers in brilliant hues.
Louise Amstrup gave us delicate structure, as opposed to hard which we saw by Gareth Pugh, for this Spring. Her pieces move, demonstrating that dramatic, angular clothing is wearable.
All photos and video accredited to CopenhagenFashionWeek.com
Continuing with my recent obsession with Mr. Garcia, I felt it only appropriate to bring to you his styling from December's issue of ELLE. Maximum Overdrive features prints, from cutsey to vampy and they're all my favorite looks from Spring 2011. Let's also consider the vintage aesthetic of the shots. Brilliant!
posted by c. bilal salaam
Artist, Fly Lady Di working on her canvas last night...left before she finished...
Gallery Bar overflowed with creative types last night for Fly Lady Di's Fresh Produce, a live art show. Writers, photographers, musicians etc. flocked together and vibed to DJ MeLo-X's artsy set.
The live band, Igmar Thomas & The Cypher and acts such as Honey Larochelle heightened the feel goodness as FLD worked her magic. She took a canvas from abstract splitter splatters to a woman riding a banana.
But what does it mean? Sexual liberation and domination?? Am I reading too much into it?
Anyhow, open bar had it's way with me for an hour--love a good cocktail!--but I held it together as I scouted out fashionista's for your visual enjoyment...so enjoy :)
Black was the color of the night.
Specs were everywhere.
Maxis made an appearance.
Primary colors, red and blue were seen in solids and prints.
That's Fly Lady Di in the middle!
Season after season, Helmut Lang’s designs never wrong me. I am constantly intrigued by his signature use of earth-tone prints, seamed leggings, and two-toned fitted jackets.
Lang has done it again with his Spring/Summer 2011 collection. He stays true to himself with the asymmetric theme carried throughout, adding unique angles and proportions. The color palette stays simple in creams, camels, or charcoals--focusing more on the interesting design of the garments. The monochromatic look with a staple chunky black ankle boot, the perfect touch.
Not surprised, I want everything!
Not surprised, I want everything!
posted by kelly joyce
It's a bit early for a Spring preview , but I couldn't resist sharing with you what H&M has up their sleeve for the next season. Ditzy prints, metallic fabrics and ah-mazing shoes, not to mention the outrageously daring leather jumpsuit!
H&M pushed their talent to the limit for our wearing pleasure and I can't wait!
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I heart H&M!
The spring '09 merchandise is light and airy at first glance. Take a closer look and you'll find tiered and ruffled florals, bubbled hemmed khaki skirts, dramatic silhouettes and a few crazy prints for contrast.
It's in stores now and I can't wait to shop it, but first I have to hit up the 50% off section for a couple things that I loved from fall, but thought was overpriced.
Meet you in the fitting room!
photo cred: nitrolicious.com