Accessories trends this spring range from softly natural to big and bold
Topic: Latest Tends

Now that warmer weather is approaching, the dress code calls for slipping into uncomplicated things like flip-flops, some cheap sunglasses and a slather of Coppertone. But accessories designers have grander ambitions.

Indeed, what separates us from the animals, said Olympia Dukakis in "Steel Magnolias," is our ability to accessorize. This season, that means items that take their cue from nature, in rough textures such as bamboo handles on handbags, heels fashioned from cork, totes made from straw and beading from nuts, all in soft neutrals that look earth-hewn.

"In the past few seasons, we have been armored with bling bling - lots of crystals, rhinestones, metal - but now we are looking for more appealing, gentle looks," says accessories designer Carolina Amato.

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"And appreciating the beauty of the natural world is a big trend that is filtering into fashion."

She offers a linen wrap with pleating she says resembles the scales of bamboo. "It is a natural look and a natural feel," she says.

Amato also has created a collection of wraps and soft sash belts embellished with real seashells, ornaments made from coconut and cork beads that hang like fringe.

The natural look is "probably the biggest trend that goes through all categories of accessories," says Dionne Walsh, vice president of design for Liz Claiborne accessories, who talks of "crochet everything." Crochet covers belts, handbags, necklaces and small cloches. Then there are wood details, which embellish bangles, beaded necklaces, and buckles on belts and chain-link handbag straps.

"Crochet plays off all the trends," Walsh says. "It goes back to all the naturals, it's feminine, and with lace being so important, it's a natural way to interpret it for the season."

As for the hue, "It's all about the no-color color," Walsh says. "It's the naturals and whites and the different colors of shells." And it suits the season's popular safari tops and jackets, and island-print dresses, she adds.

Or enlist in the seafaring, navy trend. A gold rope belt with wood rings complements spring's nautical looks, Walsh says.

But accessories also offer the chance to show off a blaze of color, says Paul Diamond, president of Lodis, a leather accessories company in Los Angeles.

"With clothes becoming less embellished and more neutral, color in accessories is more important than ever," he says.

He offers clutch handbags with handpainted flowers in green, or purple with orange and bright pink, with metallic accents.

"Spring's vibrant colors are optimistic, energetic and cheerful, which is what women respond to when the days get longer and the weather gets warmer," Diamond says.

Robert Marc, president of the eyewear company that bears his name, seconds that notion. "Since a lot of the clothes for the spring 2006 collections are in subdued tones, people will look for great accessories to add punch," he says. That is why "oversized, glamour sunglasses are even more popular this season."

Marc calls sunglasses "the ultimate accessory."

"It is the easiest way to change your look with just one piece, and it is the first thing people see because it is worn on your face," he says. "Oversized sunglasses are the best, because they can instantly up the glamour of any outfit."

Bigger might be better across the board for accessories this spring.

"Two words come to mind when thinking about spring accessories: big and variety. Big means larger handbags, bigger, wider belts, chunky, multistrand necklaces, multiple bangle bracelets and chunky, platform heels," says Laura McDowell, a T.J. Maxx spokeswoman in Framingham, Mass.

"Last year was very feminine, and looks were dainty, so it's almost the opposite this year."

As for "variety," she says, "we are seeing everything from natural wood accessories to nautical-inspired detail, to silver and gold metallic hardware accents."

On a practical note, "Everyone should have a great, light summer tote," says Lauren Merkin, a handbag manufacturer and chief executive of her eponymous company.

"It's a fun, go-with-everything bag," she says, of her multicolored striped tote in woven fabric. "It could function as a work bag as well as a beach tote. The versatility is important, especially in summer when you're going from work to out at night. You're taking it straight from your workweek into your weekend."

Accessories are a shoo-in when clothing is as simple as jeans, says Marshal Cohen, chief analyst of The NPD Group, a fashion market research firm in Port Washington, N.Y.

This season, he says, "Consumers will be accessorizing their $250 jeans bought last year with new shoes and designer handbags selling from $250 and up. Handbags and footwear have become the new signature item, much like premium denim has been in the recent past. They're the items that women are using to make a statement."

FRANCINE PARNES
The Associated Press

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Eyeing the looks for spring
Topic: Styles
Here's your backstage pass to the latest looks from the runways.

SMOKY VIOLET EYES

At both the Missoni and Badgley Mischka shows, Shiseido color creator Tom Pecheux used an ultra-soft lilac shadow to create sultry, smoked-out eyes. He recommends blending lavender shadows, such as L'Oreal Paris' High Intensity Pigment in Charisma with a purple liner along the upper lash lines for additional sex appeal.

DEFINED EYEBROWS

Dark, groomed brows set off neutral faces on the Prada runway. Makeup artist Polly Osmond used a brown mascara at the Cynthia Steffe show to create brows similar to Sienna Miller's and Kate Winslet's. To get the look, try Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in Jet Brown (right) and wear your hair with a side part to further emphasize strong brows.

MICROLINER

Delicate, barely there eyeliner graced the lids of models at Carolina Herrera and Carlos Miele. Diane Kendal who created the Herrera look says thin liners create the illusion of fuller lashes. She likes Maybelline New York Line Stylist in Espresso. Also, add false lashes, and cover the seam with eyeliner.

PEACH EYES

This year's most important neutral was seen on the runways at Issey Miyake and Celine. The color gives shape and warmth at the same time. Try MAC's eye shadow in Love Bud (left) and wear it with coral cheeks to extend the glow.

BY MARILYN BAUER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER http://news.enquirer.com

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Couture Kicks: High Fashion Gets Sporty
Topic: Fashion News

Fashion Wire Daily - New York - We're not sure if it's something in the water, or if it's a case of keeping up with the Joneses, but high-fashion designers and artists just can't stay away from collaborations with sportswear brands…and the pairings keep getting better.


The most recent partnership is Alexander McQueen's new line for Puma, which debuted last week at the Puma Black Store in New York to a crowd of McQueen Mania - there was barely a foot of space to move at the launch party, which turned away guests after the first hour due to overcapacity.

McQueen's take on Puma, which marks the designer's first venture into sportswear, is based around the human anatomy. The shoes will break the bank at a price range of $250-$330, but these are no ordinary kicks. The collection uses butter-soft leather woven into patchwork patterns, metallic finishes, unique details like side lacing, web-like overlays, and even silver charms that dangle from lace holes.

There even exists a "statement piece" for the collection - an impression of the designer's own left foot cast in a transparent sole, appropriately titled, "My Left Foot Bound." How McQueen.

And McQueen's Meat Packing District neighbor, Stella McCartney, recently announced the extension of her successful partnership with Adidas. The line, which launched in February of 2005 has seen a triple-digit growth in sales since its inception, and will now run until 2010. McCartney's new Wintersports collection for Fall 2006 features a super stylish two-in-one moon boot that envelopes the foot for optimal warmth without compromising fashion.

Fall 2006 for Reebok doesn't boast the designs of any couture creators like McQueen or McCartney, but worth checking out is the collection created by Japanese designer Koyomi. His shoe collection for Reebok, in stores July 1st, will bear a different design reflecting Japanese culture for every month of the year. We recommend the purple and red infused color scheme of the April shoe, designed to pay homage to Japan's cherry blossom season. For $150-$200 per pair, however, don't plan on keeping up with the calendar change.

Converse, still reveling in the success of its shoe collaboration with John Varvatos, will soon be calling upon other designers, musicians, and filmmakers for a little do-gooding.

As a participating company in Red, the initiative started by Bono, Armani, and Bobby Shriver to combat the AIDS crisis, Converse will be working with celebrated artists each season to create an item for the socially conscious line.

The beginning of this month marked the first collaboration, with UK designer Giles Deacon, for the limited edition Chuck Taylor All Star African Mudcloth Shoe. Inspired by renowned mudcloth artist Nakunte Diarra, this shoe showcases the artistry and tradition of the mud-dyed clothes that represent Mali culture.

From couture sneakers to works of art to shoes with a heart, there is something for everyone thanks to these fraternizations of footwear.

Lindsay Sammon
Fri Apr 7, 5:24 PM ET

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