Designers Play with Color for Fall 2018
Bold is the flavor of the season. In the Fall/Winter 2018 fashion world, bold colors versus patterns are taking over the scene. After visiting Style Fashion Week’s runway shows at Cipriani in New York City last week, I am convinced Fall/Winter will be full of bright colors on the cool city streets. This would be a welcome breath of fresh air to the DMV scene where blacks, navys and tans are a mainstay. We need some color around these parts.
Thanks to designers like Ydamys Simo, Alina Petra, Emma Altman and Adriana Sahar, learning how to incorporate colorful hues into your wardrobe should not be hard. Simo caters to the courageous young fashionista in your life with most of the fashions worn by young girls to late teens. The patterns and colors are mature in design, but whimsical enough to attract the innocence of childhood. The sophisticated textures do not offer a visual of this being playground attire, but would fit perfectly into a night out with family at one of the city’s top restaurants.
Petra took on the color revolution with softer hues of pastel blues, golds and winter whites. Alice in a New Wonderland was the vibe that I got from her pieces. Very soft hints of bling graced most of her designs making them suitable for a night out. Black floor-length gowns with applicable beading and sheer sleeves allow you to play it safe with a bit of allure. With the tons of holiday parties, galas and other random celebrations in this town, there is no shortage of a need for a good cocktail dress. Petra’s playful short, A-line princess dresses are bringing back the girlish side of the woman.
Altman takes on a slightly different approach to the bold statement. More risqué in nature, her Fall/Winter 2018 collection makes you want to scramble for the next Spice Girls reunion tour because you now have the perfect outfit to wear. With fishnets making cameo appearances, office hours are not where you would want to showcase most of these pieces. The use of candyland colors and pleathers give way to the playful side of your wardrobe. Think: standout concert/festival outfit.
Sahar appealed to the dreamy part of my wardrobe. Colors of the deep blue ocean permeated her entire collection. Trying to get the Little Mermaid’s Ariel out of my brain was easier once the illusive floor-length see-through dresses graced the stage. Sahar’s pieces have just enough sex appeal, but with an edge if you ever want to slip on sneakers instead of heels. Known for her designer robes, she ups the ante this season with furs in those oceanic seaweed greens and rare purple undersea species colors.
Color is underrated in this town. I want to see more of it! It can take on any form that you like. If, for example, playing it safe works for you, add a yellow blazer to your collection. If you are up for more of a challenge, pull out your bright yellow trench and pleather heels! The moral of the story is to have fun with color. After leaving Style Fashion Week with ideas like this on the brain, a look in the crayon box might be my next move for style inspiration.
Johnna French is a Harlem, N.Y. native with deep roots in Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. After graduating from Howard University School of Law, she decided to stay and practice law with the federal government. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants and shopping.