A Distinctive Style

FALL 2011 TRENDS:
The eco-conscious every Woman’s Way
I’ve been trend-spotting recently and though many of the Fall 2011 runway trends aren’t my cup of tea, that’s
not to say eco designers haven’t hit the mark with their latest collections. One of those eco apparel lines, Nally
and Millie, is exceptional in that many of their pieces are reversible while still maintaining a stylish elegance and
affordability. Deborah Lindquist’s line of vintage cashmere for Fall 2011 promises to be eco-sexy but it’s so much
more than that with what’s sure to be wide audience appeal. Always impressive although this season more than
ever, Dahlia Drive pieces fit trend without being over-the-top or unattractive, which is essentially how I’d describe
the runway versions of this season’s hottest. However, couture trends are ever-present in our lives and we can
certainly fit them into our eco closets by re-interpreting them.
Bold Colors
Color in its many splendored variations hit the runways this season.
Eco-clothing line Dahlia Drive (www.dahliadrive.com) hits the mark
for Fall 2011 with eye-catching kimono tops in bright colors and floaty
feminine shapes pairing look-at-me with flirtatious lady. Color, color
everywhere in autumn shades like rust and green with gallant yellow
peeking in, like the sun through the multi-colored trees. Best of all?
Designer Wendy Van Riesen has chosen to use recycled saris, curtains
and vintage scarves to create her apparel, making her mark not only
in fashion but on the environment as well.
Proudly heralded as a company whose apparel is made in the USA,
Nally and Millie (www.nallyandmillie.com) is unique in that some of
the pieces are reversible and some are handmade for intricacy. The
pieces speak of a designer’s eye that is beautifully unafraid of color
(and pattern) but who is familiar with elegance and an understanding
of the female figure (every woman’s figure, which is particularly
important to this fashion lovin’ mama).
Ponchos
Don’t think Grandma. Think soft blanket to snuggle with on a chilly fall
day. Think pairing it with high boots and skinny jeans. Think wrapping
up in it with a loved one. Think handmade Cecile Benac Knitwear
(www.cecilebenacknitwear.com) in organic cotton and viscose. The
neutral poncho I spotted on her website with braided detail is a
testament to craftsmanship and the everywoman’s answer to this
season’s poncho trend.
Color Blocking
Deborah Lindquist’s color blocked reincarnated vintage cashmere
sweaters (and skirts and dresses) are elegant and subtly rendered.
They’re done in bright but attractive colors and range from pretty to
sporty to neutral shades to sweet, so there’s one for every girl. Even
the girl who is shy about color can find a long sweater in neutral
shades of brown to throw over her jeans or pair with a simple dress
(www.deborahlindquist.com).
going Dotty
Dots might not be for every gal (admittedly, I have very few dotted
items in my own closet) but Dahlia Drive has come up with a cute
response to this challenging trend. The translucent bubble dress in a
light hue of yellow with large muted purple and pink dots sounds a bit
out there but is quite fetching paired with gray leggings and boots.
The twirly pleated hemline is flirtatious, making the garb date-worthy
indeed.
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Swinging 60s
Bold Shoulder
giving Back Never goes Out of Style
United Bamboo’s (www.unitedbamboo.com) 100% Cotton
Orange Beige Abstract Print Cotton Dress is not only a
throwback to little swingy 60s frocks but it’s a subtly printed
work of art as well. Pair it with boots or flats for a look that’s
modern appeal and a look back. Appealing to most women
is the lack of a wild cacophony of psychedelic color and
pattern you’d be afraid to leave the house in.
For this season’s decorative sleeves,
Sofia (www.sofiaclothing. com) Clothing
offers several possibilities in an array of
colors and styles. From a one-shoulder
red empire waist top to a gray jacket with
graduated shelves of black running down
the shoulder to a transparent pouf sleeve
blouse, Sofia’s shoulders are statements
of stunning elegance.
Though these are just some of this season’s trends and
couture is striking and has its place, it’s undeniable that eco
designers make them wearable for everywoman. Not only
do eco designers provide us with earth-friendly, luxurious
fabrics but they create jobs in employee-pleasant environments and are charitable as well. Nally and Millie employees,
for example, are touted to be close-knit relatives and friends
who are dedicated to a quality product.
Subtlety
Pure and simple looks graced the runways for Fall 2011;
jackets in dark solids gave us wearable outerwear options.
To create the subtle look, United Bamboo is a top choice
with items like the Lightweight Hooded Blouson Jacket,
simple but thoughtfully designed or lace-up boots in natural
shades paired with sporty knit tanks or the 100% silk pale
green dress in the refined print.
The owner of TAB bras (www.tabbra.com), Yvonne Hogenes,
founded the LaPenita Mexico Project. She journeys to
Mexico every year in February to give away 500 bras to
women who are living with breast cancer. Women travel
from all over to get clothes, wigs and makeup as well.
Flower Power
Some of the flower-themed designer pieces are a little overthe-top for a typical professional woman’s workplace or PTA
meetings but California based Nally and Millie’s brand does
flowers with a subtlety that is breathtaking. The Begonia
Scroll Reversible Skirt is like a work of art, done in a print that
gives the impression of pink water color flowers on a dark
watery canvas without evoking thoughts of grandma’s
chesterfield.
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To Desire’s designer Jeeta (www.todesire.com) created a
collection of Hugg wraps specifically to benefit the Canadian
Breast Cancer Foundation. Proceeds (in part) from purchases go to the foundation during the month of October
and buyers are rewarded not only with good consciences
but also with luxury wraps in exotic fabrics.
Fashion isn’t simply about looking presentable or being
creative with one’s appearance. This fall, it’s so much more
than that; it’s about giving back, about saving lives and
feeling good on more than a superficial level.
Mid-Calf Skirts
Women know (and designers have discovered
this season), whether instinctively or by observation or word-of-mouth, that flirting is easier
in a skirt, especially a flowing one that plays
around the legs like a happy cat. Enter A.D.O.,
the eco line (www.adoclothing.com) that
promises style the sustainable way using organic materials, dyes made from herbs and
plants and even tags made with recycled paper.
I adore their mid-calf length dresses, particularly a belted gray number with detailed shoulders.
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