Demonstrating a powerful global appeal with 43,278 visitors, out of which 73% were international visitors especially travelling to Paris to discover the new offers presented by 713 exhibitors, the recently held PREMIÈRE VISION 2012 fair was a tremendous success. Despite the pessimism prevalent in Europe and reported decline of Italian (-12%) and Belgian (-14%) contingents to the fair, there were 32,710 industry professionals from the European Union , besides many visitors from America and Japan exploring the most complete and inspiring textile offer…
“With a prominent display of bright colours projected to dominate the trends in Spring/Summer 2013, the fresh appeal in fabrics added positivity for the new season to overcome a still volatile market in Europe,” said, Bashi Singh, Director, HP Singh, who is a regular visitor at the exhibition. “One can clearly see two major growing horizons in fashion – one for the ‘masses’, where styles are made keeping bulk in mind, and the second of ‘boutique’, in which people want to be different, but with economical prices, a trend rising due to the increasing saturation in the mass market,” added Bashi.
Divided into four major themes – Seduction, Pulsation, Relax and Distinction, generating a wholesome feel – textiles in general are more natural and relaxed wherein the structures are calmer treated with natural finish applications. “The fabric component will be primarily of cottons, linens and cotton linens, keeping price as a major factor in mind. ‘Rawness’ both in visual appeal and in feel is becoming a new rage with buyers, as the consumer is shifting to all things that are sustainable or look sustainable. While a handmade touch both in rich and casual fabrics is seen, in terms of prints and patterns crafty and folklore inspired looks are well accepted,” explained Atul Saxena, Design Head of Donear, who was visiting the fair on behalf of his company, keenly searching for directional looks in fabrics.Highlighting a little bit of almost all the aspect of fashion apparel, each theme demarcates a new set of trends which have been broken into key looks…
‘Shine’ defines High Fashion Couture…
A gleaming change is being observed in people preferences following which little bit of shine is being developed in all kinds of fabrics, not only for women’s wear but also for menswear. Satiny knits, metallic finishes and metallic yarns blended with cotton exposing a look of light gold, pearly shine and pastel sparkles in both knits and wovens will be of highest demand alongside satins, neon and bright coloured coatings and plastic like shiny surfaces. Tilting towards high fashion, less expansively embossed looks, rich surfaces with all over embroidery, laces, mesh, large and open tules, and jacquards are all accessible. Laced fabrics will be much finer in terms of construction and yarns, with bold and spaced patterns giving way to daring structures instead of the smaller and closer flower motifs raging last season. Fabrics that hold a very soft hand feel, transparent and translucent in appeal and have a fluid drapey effect along with a new supple volume will also be available in plenty in pure cotton, cotton linen blends, cotton silk blends and crepes in cotton blends. ‘Cotton’ will be the common factor running throughout the seasons textiles in economical prices achieved with varied blends.
‘Simple and plain’ for Formal and Tailored…
More and more novelty fabrics will play a major role in forming structured looks for suits, shirts, polo’s, coats and jackets. The weaves will be constructed in appeal, again with a fluid feel to them. Linen will dominate for hot summer weather, in natural linens, smoothed chambrays, Prince of Wales checks and herringbone weaves, while tropical wool, springy fine wools and crepe wools will be a hit in ensembles for cooler regions. Double faced fabrics are a new growing section in themselves, with endless varieties being developed both in wovens and knits. For shirts, graphic patterns in distinct neat contrasts, multi coloured stripes, three tones ginghams, knit piques that mimic oxford shirting’s and large checks and stripes almost invisible from afar, windowpane checks, seersucker checks and stripes, all will define a casual approach in the daytime. Twills both lineny and fine city twills will be a huge demand along with pure cotton and linen cotton blends.
‘Fantasy and nature’ inspired Prints…
Digital prints once again are emerging strong for the upcoming summer, with the print patterns being inspired from an out of the box thinking coming straight from the fantasy land. From flowers taken out straight from the gardens, engineered prints dominated this section where a mix of varied patterns was explored to the fullest. Botanical motifs, solar colours, supernatural florals and tiny appliqué flowers were seen in as creative ways as possible. Alongside a forest and backyard influenced look, there are also prominent entho graphics developed though printing, leather patches, laser cutouts, raffia and embroidery. Showcasing a traditional tribal feel upbringing a rooted craft like look in fabrics, also present will be abstract shapes and geometric abstracts in bright colours, all to make the summer a lot more happening, fun and frolic, motivating the spirits and therefore the buying instincts of the consumer.
