Trend Analysis: Spring Summer 2011

As part of a massive Fashion Buying and Merchandising assignment I had to complete this year, I had to conduct a ridiculous amount of fashion research for both Spring Summer 2011 and Autumn Winter 2011/12. I have therefore decided to share my extensive trend analysis with you. Because I am very clever indeed.

Through looking at numerous programmes in regards to WGSN, Vogue.com's highly informative show reports and just-style, I have discovered various trends and sub trends for this Spring Summer.

WGSN first embraced the 70’s trend, seen at two diverse ends at the spectrum – the first being opulence relating to the Studio 54 glamour feel with hints on vintage YSL with designers like Prada and Lanvin both implementing such trends, the latter giving off an androgynous David Bowie, electric sense seen on Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring Summer 2011 catwalk. The mix as WGSN state, resulting in “a hedonistic take on all things 70s this summer.”

In terms of detailing, we see a strong influence from Yves Saint Laurent in terms of tuxedo dressing and plunging necklines, with designers taking great inspiration from the incredible styling’s of the late designers.

Coinciding this, the repetition of one-shouldered silhouettes were featured in many shows, following many seasons, however this silhouette really does reflect the seventies. Again, Bianca Jagger has had a huge impact on designers undertaking the seventies trend, with Marc Jacobs and Christian Dior both embracing the cross-over halter neck, Marc Jacobs featuring both the silhouette and incorporating an obi belt in his dress designs as well as ticking another seventies trend: The thigh split. At Christian Dior, John Galliano integrated this feature on his yellow jumpsuit, this time integrating the one-shoulder in order to grasp the main aspects of this trend for the viewers.

The second trend we saw, as WGSN called it, was Pastoral Romance featuring a lot of pretty vintage and girlish floral influences combined with seventies silhouettes to create a antiquated boho feel. A strong interpretation from many designers, this trend featured heavily on the catwalks for Spring/Summer 2011 of the likes of Dolce and Gabbana, of whom embraced the lace overlay detailing with pretty floral imprints on a completely blank white canvas, apart from the occasional black outfit, which again incorporated vintage black lace with floral designs.

Within this trend, “fairytale femininity” was a key detail, with heavy features of lace and broderie anglaise as stated previously, on catwalks like Dolce & Gabbana, as well as Alberta Ferretti who incorporated vintage sheer lace into a key silhouette creating an incredible vintage piece. Gingham Checks and a heavy floral mix was also undertaken on the catwalks coinciding the gypsy blouse, with peasant style, square neck and drop waisted hemlines.

Coinciding this, we see a lot of sheer mixes teamed with cute girly floral pieces, adding an ethereal quality – At Collette Dinnigan, designers outlined almost all deatiling aspects of this trend within one outfit, a sheer blouse with a lace and broderie anglaise trim tucked into pale bloomer shorts with a faint floral print.


Another trend offered by WGSN was the Modernist Resort sub trend which has a very modernistic chic feel, influence from designers Spring/Summer 2011 catwalks like Prada, Chloé and Celine of whom featured a very unfussy, minimalistic look modernised by block colours and optic whites.


Detailing was kept to a minimum with this trend, with focuses on factors like pleated skirts both geometric and voluminous and colour tipping. Not only this, but sheer inserts and exposed zips were also featured heavily within this trend with designers such as Jil Sander and Prada showing modernistic collections with clean lines and simplistic silhouettes for Spring Summer 2011. Fabrics remained crisp, with untouched cottons and glazed summer leathers.