Trendwatch 2011: Colour Blocking

One of my 2011 resolutions which I posted on the "Life and Luxury" Facebook page was to be colourful and happy all the time. Admit it, you feel better in spring in summer because of all the light outside and of course due to the colours which fashion/luxury brands choose for their collections. So you can only imagine my joy when I opened a magazine yesterday to check out the trends for 2011. I must admit I am not the person to get dressed or hair-styled by a trend: I like to feel good in my skin and the best fashion for me is the one that fits me best. But this trend for 2011 might just make me change a bit. I loved it when I saw it repeated over and over again by Anna Wintor in "The September Issue" and I love that designers have really been inspired to use this process in their 2011 collections. It's the colour blocking I'm talking about and I hope you will like it too.

Colour blocking is a technique which can be found in many "segments" of our daily life, so I chose some which I found very interesting and easy linkable to fashion and luxury (except one).

I started with arts. One of the painter who was (in a positive way) obsessed with colour blocking was Mondrian. It actually became part of his signature. The second painting I chose is by Irena Orlov, and it's in this list due to the simple fact that I like it. I would imagine an autumn dress with that print (who knows, maybe I do a DIY piece for the next AW season). The third painting is by Mark Rothko, a painter who inspired chief designer of Jil Sander, Raf Simons, for his collection.

Picture Source: http://schools.bvsd.org/whittier/artsite/famousartimages/piet_mondrian1.jpg

Picture Source: http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/3c536c7d-0177-4716-bb63-55c800f630bc/uploadedartwork/650X650/a2ccc2f8-e662-4f96-bd45-b69276ae0701.jpg

Picture Source: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pCtYBqw7SEE/SbMDzuhWdvI/AAAAAAAABro/3dkDyR7BSzE/image_thumb%5B10%5D.png?imgmax=800

I chose scrapbooking as second way to use colour blocking, because people who do scrapbooking usually use the technique without even being aware of it. And I recently did some scrapbooking myself when I created the 2011 calendar which I then gifted my parents.

Picture Source: http://www.heroarts.com/learning/images/tech_111.jpg

Tjird way of colour blocking is in your home: get over the dull white or monochrome walls and be creative. The second picture here is really inspirational: the wall is not only "different" because black really is an unusual colour to paint a wall, but it is also functional, being painted like a blackboard.

Picture Source: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pCtYBqw7SEE/TAUSJNQS1CI/AAAAAAAAHBg/-KyEoep5_2A/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800

Picture Source: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_pCtYBqw7SEE/TAUSqdQ_V-I/AAAAAAAAHC0/faMxraM1Pcg/image_thumb30.png?imgmax=800

Selfridges comes to show us how colour blocking is really boosting sales and is OUT THERE, in our daily life. Here are two wonderful examples of visual merchandising colour blocking.

Picture Source: http://www.design4retail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/selfridges-3.jpg

Picture Source: http://www.design4retail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/selfridges-2.jpg

Last but not least, luxury and fashion brands alike have adopted this colour-blocking look for their 2011 collections. Here are some examples: first is Gucci, with really glossy, shiny, silky materials. Alexandre Hercovitch, the Brazilian fashion designer, chose a diffrent approach of the same technique: geometrical figures and pastel colours (second picture down). Last inspiration, and one of my favourites, comes from Prabal Gurung. He also plays with geometry, but has stronger accents through the neon colours. Extremly fantastic! Extremly funky!

Picture Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_baMiR3TDmqs/TN9s9UYqZaI/AAAAAAAAA0s/l1Hy7qrhFiM/s640/spring_2011_fashion_color_trends.jpg

Picture Source: http://www.patternpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hechocovitch2.jpg

Picture Source: http://www.patternpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/11-Spring-colorblockingPrabalGurung1.jpg

Colour blocking is hopefully here to stay, as it is a favourite of Anna Wintour,...and as you all know, she is Vogue, fashion is what Vogue dictates...hence....do the maths!

But colour blocking creates eye-catching contrasts, strong graphic statements, instant focal points and, of course, art! Enjoy your art-filled environment of 2011!

Russian Inspiration

Looking outside at the snow covered trees and at the snow falling down from the skies, but being also in a warm place, I can only think of Russia, of cold Siberia and warm blood, of cold blue eyes and warm red lips. If we look at a previous number of Vogue or Harper's Bazaar we see inspiration everywhere from this wonderful and misterious country. We see passion and boiling blood, love for wonderful things such as good fur or great food, eternity caught in drops of amber, stories from our childhood, grace, and a striking desire to BE.

Not just because Europe is filled with its rich layer, but because of what Russia is, it represents Luxury for me. And, because there is Russian blood flowing through my veins, I played a bit around with warm and cold inspiration related to Russia...just because I think it fits on a snowy day like today.

2011 Resolutions

Dear all,

welcome to 2011! Hope you had a great party and a wonderful start in the new year. I'm curious to know about your resolutions, in case you have some. For me one of them is called Christian Dior! Have a wonderful year ahead!