Knitwear Trends for Fall/Winter 2011-12

F/W 2011-12 is a season of re-invention, rejuvenation an exploration.Value the concept of time... moving forward with new ideas, a need to play, escape, explore and shine. It is time to leave the past behind. This makes it a season of contrasts and alternatives, a time to lead not follow. . .

Passages of Time

TIME TO PLAY
The exploration of "self" through playfulness, and activity. Making time to have fun, experiment and be ever changing. Sport is re-invented through a new sense of color making it merge seamlessly with everyday life. Looking at culture for the techno age generation who are easily bored and in need of constant stimulation.



Color and Details
An energising palette of clear whitened winter greens, dusted with modern brights and a dark purple.

• Natural and synthetic of equal importance
• Drape, fluidity and movement
• Compact, dense and peached.
• Polished sheen achieved by fibre choice or mercerising.
• Yarns and fabrics that can perform and energise
• Technical finishes and new innovations
• Stretch and movement
• Graphic plays of colour and pattern
• Fresh stripes
• Simple micro textures
• Iridescent glow and rich lustre


ESCAPE
A sense of protection is swathed in discreet luxury, enhanced by subtle beauty searching for a new perfection. A time to luxuriate in our own space, relaxation time, making time to improve, beautify and rejuvenate. A rough, raw dimension that hints at femininity with natural charm, rustic yet delicate, wild yet precious.



Color and Details
A powdered level of colors using pinkish taupes, warm copper and soft browns, enriched by deep rose and blue grey.

• Powdery finishes
• Soft shimmer and lustre
• Diffused surfaces through hair and brushing
• Feathery, twisted and ruffled
• Smooth luxurious shine
• B urnished metallics
• W arm soft textures
• B roken surfaces with a natural patina
• Delicate sheer textures and transparent looks
• Layering from fine to very chunky
• Extreme exaggerated stitches
• Blurred and subtlety broken plays on color


EXPLORE
Making time to explore our own creativity and explore new ideas, looking at art activities such as painting, printing and crafts, but reinventing them in a futuristic way. Expressing our own individuality by making good use of our hands and enjoying embellishing, enhancing and creating new looks in a modern way. Finding time to create our own identity through freedom of spirit.



Color and Details
Rich, saturated levels of color in warm tones of russet orange, strong reds, golds and bronzes contrasted by vibrant teal and pinks, all merged together to give a moody, painterly dimension.

• Appearances are deceptive with handmade or rough looks, but with a soft to the touch feel
• Lots of surface interest
• Novelty textures and novelty fibre blends.
• Volume and rounded looks
• Hairy and raised surfaces
• Rich vibrant gold and metallic
• Velvety looks and touch
• Multi color effects in neps and marls
• Printing and hand painting
• Chunky but weightless
• Irregular textures
• Boiled and compact
• Rich bold use of pattern and color



SHINE
A time to visit an era when things were special, cherished and refined, yet reconstruct it into the future to make it relevant to modern life. Combining a decorative legacy of the past with a streamlined futuristic vision enhanced by technology. A time to find exquisite beauty and perfection by looking at decorative form and modern adornment. Creating drama and intrigue, desire and satisfaction. Regaining our status to face the modern world.



Color and Details
Mysteriously deep and intense shades of inky blues, greys and blacks through to futuristic purples from dark to light. Shimmering yet burnished highlights of silver and gold offer decorative relief.

• Fine, threadlike counts, highly twisted
• Polished surfaces from bright shine to subtle sheens
• Sparkle of all kinds
• Burnished and aged metallics
• Fur and plush looks
• Feathery effects
• Rich velvety finishes
• Lace and ruffles
• Aged appearances
• Silky drape and fluid looks
• Subtle crinkle surfaces and delicate textures
• Extreme softness and lustre
• Exquisite embellishment and jewels used with finesse