Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Spring Summer 2014 Trends

Hot colors for Spring/Summer 2014  {think March through August}

Pink

There’s still plenty of style mileage left in the hue that makes boys wink. Best worn as one hero-piece, such as a coat  or jacket. Unexpected pink accents soften spring's athletic and edgy looks.

Pastels
Along with pink, mint green and other pastel favorites showed up on the runway.

Monochrome/ Black and White
This classic combination will continue its run well into spring and summer.

Metallics + Iridescence
Satin and metallics in every colour of the rainbow brought a heavy dose of glamour to proceedings this season. For a cool shiny vibe go for a satin suit or else work sheeny fabrics for day to night – these piece are far too pretty to be saved for best.

White
White-on-white ensembles continue to be chic.

Orange is the New Black


Hot Themes and textures

Florals
Team your neon florals and botanical blooms with edgy attitude and offbeat accessories, like metallic glam rock accessories, sky high sandals or chilled-out trainers. The two tribes within this trend are polar extremes - it's either the lady-like treatment or sassy urbanite styling.

Matchy (Mis-)Matchy


Spring 2014’s hottest look is no doubt about wearing one print on all items of clothing and accessories, or to clash several patterns in one outfit. If that seems too daring, then the third approach to this hot trend is to work one colour splashed on everything: shoes, bags, phone cover, the works. Too much is simply not enough.

Geometric Prints
Flashback to geometry class for next season's print craze: grids, triangles, concentric circles and more.

Logo-Mania {Say it loud and proud}

Next season we’ll all be wearing our style on our sleeve as that 90’s staple makes a marked comeback. Whichever message you choose to transmit, make sure it makes a subversive statement.
Whether your clothes are shouting a motto or a brand, make sure its from the rooftops

Cold Shoulder
How to wear: Don’t bare all for SS14, instead tease the rest of your torso into a frock but showcase your décolletage and collar bone.

Pleats? Yes, Please.
How to wear: Go for tight pleats on dresses, skirts and accessories. The broader pleat is a thing of the past… Well, for now.



Styles That are a hit for spring summer 2014

Bohemian Rhapsody

As seen at: Anna Sui(pictured), Topshop Unique, Chanel, Jonathan Saunders, Gucci
How to wear: The key SS14 take on boho blends the romantic 70s maxi dress and floppy hat with 60s Broderie Anglaise dresses, throwing in retro sunnies for good measure. Poster girls for this look include long-standing Brit It-girl, Alexa Chung and LA’s fashion sorceress, Rachel Zoe.

True Rock-mance
As seen at: Saint Laurent (pictured), Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Moschino, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang
How to wear: Mix one part 90s grunge with two parts Metallica fan-girl, any you’ll be on your merry way to tapping into one of the season’s most hardcore looks. If in doubt, paint it black and make it leather.

Athleticism
An athletic aesthetic clearly took over the runways, most notably, baseball caps, tennis-inspired dresses and varsity jackets. Wear them separate or all together.

Cowgirl mashup.
Urban cowgirl. Showgirl cowgirl. Bra-bearing Rosie-the-riveter cowgirl. Squeezing Western elements into outfits in unexpected ways kept thematic overkill at bay, and signalled a little sub-trend rising up in cowboy boots and embroidered shirts and low-slung oversized belts. Donna Karan, Rodarte and Alexis Mabille respectively brought the aforementioned urban/showgirl/wartime interpretations, while Louis Vuitton’s embellished jeans and Miu Miu’s use of fringing and suede added to the suggestion of a growing spring 2014 fashion trend.
Wear it now: this one is perfect for the fall / winter season as well as for spring, so you can get on it from anywhere in the world. Keep it cool and effortless in slouchy denims, plaid shirts, chunky belts and boots. For a sexier interpretation, mix Western elements with femme fatale ones: an embellished crop top, slinky dress or silk trench coat with dusty cowgirl boots, say, or a pair of denim overalls with heels.



Other Trends to look for

Sheer greatness

Lace, mesh, and all things sheer continue to be on trend.

Full Skirts
The voluminous ladylike silhouette is here to stay. Pair the tea-length skirt with tights and boots during the winter. This ladylike trend is ideal because aside from looking like a princess, it accentuates the smallest part of the body: the waist

Fringing
Fringing takes on a broad range of styles for spring 2014. On the runways, it wasn’t just cowgirl and it wasn’t just flapper; I guess you could say it just was. Spanning eveningwear to casual, fringing and tassels swished onto the scene and found new ways to make a mark.
Wear it now: leather, silk, beading… if you can find a piece that works some fringing into the equation, invest.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Merchandising Calendar for February 2014




To keep things looking in line with the current season, use Etsy’s Rearrange Your Shop tool to move these holiday items to the final pages of your shop.

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{{ Northern Hemisphere- summer, Southern Hemisphere- winter))


---    Holiday + Sports Related

Graduations: College and university graduations take place in early to mid-May while high school ceremonies usually take place in early to mid-June. Think in terms of keepsake gifts, personalization, milestone achievements, and innovative ways to present cash gifts.
Teacher Gifts: As the traditional academic year comes to a close, think about offering items that would show appreciation for teachers

Father’s Day: With Father’s Day approaching in June, think about items that would make a great gift for the many types of dads out there: personalization, customization, business and office accessories, gadgets and tech gear, the cases to carry them in, outdoor equipment, sports gear, men’s fashion, keepsakes, and luxury gifts. Keep in mind the home chef,
 the auto enthusiast, the handyman, the trendsetting, the classic, and those dads who seem to have it all. Think in terms of classic gifts, new dads, and don’t forget about gifts for granddad.

---    Styles
Americana expressed in a vision of American Pie with a picnic friendly look inclusive of gingham and patchwork and youthful separates like overalls. Think Daisy Duke and Ellie May in color.
The Machine Age- heavy metal, studs, leather
Grown up Grunge- Recent ethnic inspirations have included a nod to the Orient as well as Global Awakening, with a much more diverse pop culture influence. Spice Trail keys into the exotic lands of Morocco and India with rich material conversations like jacquard to heavy embellished details. Silhouettes speak to tradition with items like tunics and sarouel pants, while tribal patterns play up classics like tailored jackets.
Recent ethnic inspirations have included a nod to the Orient as well as Global Awakening, with a much more diverse pop culture influence. Spice Trail keys into the exotic lands of Morocco and India with rich material conversations like jacquard to heavy embellished details. Silhouettes speak to tradition with items like tunics and sarouel pants, while tribal patterns play up classics like tailored jackets.
Craft Punk- At Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton ignited a bohemian revival with artisanal macramé tunics given her usual dark spin. The theme continued with crocheted and needlepoint looks at Bottega Veneta, Valentino, and Roberto Cavalli.
Phantastic Fairy Tales – escapism into other worlds {think of your favorite movie and video game worlds}.
Baroque Vision- a step into yesteryear of emeralds, gold, intricate designs, from the dainty to the robust statement pieces romance and elegance are key.
Dark Romance-has a dash of magic and mystery. “A typical personality would be Oscar Wilde – the artists of the turn of the century (1900). It’s a very poetic trend.”

---    Colors
Gold, gold, gold!
head-to-toe white was the most noticeable trend to come off the catwalks
Pink {light shades, mainly} the season's best blushes were done up in everything from leather to ruffled gowns
Chromatic Energy- mettalic sheens of all colors

Color Trends: Combinations of metallic with neutrals, reds whites and blues, citruses (lime, lemon, grapefruit, blood orange, tangerine), robin’s egg blues, sepia tones, and tea stains. Patterns in seersucker, gingham, and houndstooth.

---    Shapes, Patterns etc
base distinction- basic shapes especially popular for metal jewelry {ovals, squares, circles, etc}
patterns and prints- florals, geometric, etc
Tropic Thunder- Even the most staunch city dwellers can appreciate a lush flora and fauna print. Prepare to get transported to paradise in rompers, jumpsuits, dresses and tees that showcase everything from palm fronds to hibiscus.

---    Textures
Blue Jean Baby- All associations with the Texas tuxedo aside, denim on demin has basically evolved into a stylish institution. In a variety of washes, jean has gone high fashion, showing up on everything from tailored suiting to pencil skirts and trenches.
Fifty Shades of Suede- Say goodbye to safari drab. From the emerald green outfits on the Calvin Klein Collection runway to Ralph Lauren's lilac-colored trench and a pair of eye-catching fuchsia hot shorts at Emilio Pucci, the recent Resort collections were chock-full of vibrant suede pieces.
Lacy Sights- There was no shortage of lace in the latest lineups. While many took fine filigree in a romantic direction, designers including Christian Dior's Raf Simons, Derek Lam, and Christopher Kane sharpened up the typically feminine stuff with graphic mesh insets and webbed overlays that gave the fabric a new zing.

---    Other
Carnivals and State Fairs: Bright colors, side show spectacles, animals and costuming.

Throwback to the Speakeasy: Barware, mixology, nightlife, live music, and secret passwords.

Summer: The first day of summer belongs to June; keep in mind seasonal activities like summer travel, outdoor activities, open air soirees, summer fashion, and lighter, brighter colors. Emphasis on outdoor entertaining, hostess gifts, bath and beauty, and clever ways to stay cool all summer long.

Gardening items are still going strong in the northern hemisphere. Remember to think about {gardening, and animal husbandry} products for fall, spring, and winter seasons. by stocking for all seasons you get the early and late shoppers, as well as international sales.

---    Specific Items
Knuckle Rings
ear cuffs
crop tops {a more modest approach by layering with a cami underneath or a high waist pants/skirt was showcased on the runways}
Satchel Rage- We've witnessed a move toward more structured handbags recently, and Resort was all about two-handled satchels, which turned up at Lanvin, Givenchy, Fendi, and more.
Micro Wave- Crop tops weren't the only short orders this season. Designers like Alexander Wang, Michael Kors, and Mary Katrantzou put the legs on display, too, with upper-thigh-grazing miniskirts that require a nice pair of stems.
Trouser Roles- Pin-thin stovepipes are officially over. In keeping with the season's focus on easy elegance, the favored pants silhouette of the moment is low-slung and ultra-relaxed. Baggy, billowy trousers turned up in the latest lineups from

Fashion: Options for summer emphasize showing some skin, open toes, lightweight materials, and sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, makeup, balms, hats and coverups. Summer dresses, swimwear, shoes and accessories, and options for hair are key. Design labels are already launching previews for for fall lines and lookbooks.


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    Dates to remember

    Pearl is June’s birthstone; June’s astrological signs are Gemini and Cancer (May 21 – June 21: Gemini, June 22 – July 2: Cancer).

June is known as
LGBT Pride month
National candy
National rose
National dairy month.
Perennial Gardening Month
National Bathroom Reading Month
National Safety Month
National Soul Food Month
National Steakhouse Month

    June 1 Official start of Australian Winter
    June 4 Skull Appreciation Day
    June  Clothesline Week
    June 6 National Yo-Yo Day
    June 6th – Drawing Day
    June 6 Dragon Boat Festival
    June 8: Best Friends Day
    June 8-9 Shavuot
    June 8  Sunday  Pentecost 2014
    June 9  Monday  Pentecost Monday 2014
    June 13 Queen’s Birthday
    June 13 Sewing Machine Day
    June 13 Whit Monday
    June 14 Flag Day
    June 17-19 Aspen Food&Wine Festival
    June 18 Etsy’s Birthday
    June 15 {2015} Father’s Day
    June 21 Summer Solstice
    June 20-July 3 Wimbledon Tennis Championship
    June 23 Feast of Corpus Christi
    June 24 LGBT Pride Day
    June 24 St. Jean Baptiste Day
    June 26 Great American Backyard Campout
    June 29 Laylat al-Miraj
    June 29 Camera Day
    June 30 1st Harry Potter book published 1997 (UK)

Pagan/Wiccan Calendar
*source: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/holidaysandcelebrations/a/2013-Pagan-Wiccan-Calendar.htm

    1: England's Witchcraft Act of 1563 goes into effect
    9: Celtic Tree Month of Hawthorn ends
    10: Celtic Tree Month of Oak begins
    10: Hanging of Bridget Bishop, first victim in the Salem Witch Trials
    13: Birthday of Gerald Gardner in 1884
    16: Father's Day
    17: Birthday of Wiccan author Starhawk
    21: Litha
    21: Yule (Southern Hemisphere)
    22: England's last Witchcraft Law is repealed in 1951
    23: Full moon -- Strong Sun Moon at 7:32 am
    27: Birthday of author Scott Cunningham in 1956