Emily Brickel Edelson is a published fashion illustrator, cofounder of ChicSketch, an app that turns your photos into fashion illustrations; fashion designer and a keyed-in, uber savvy media maven. When NY Fashion Week begins on February 10, Emily will be found in the front rows and backstage of many designers’ shows, sketchbook in hand. In other words, the girl’s got cred.
The future of fashion, or what will be in stores in Fall/Winter 2016/17 will debut on NYC runways in a few days and EverBeautiful.com will bring you that news as it unfolds. But you probably want to know what you’re going to find in stores NOW. I sat down with Emily Brickel Edelson to get her take on the latest trends for Spring/Summer 2016.
EverBeautiful.com: What are the key trends for Spring 2016 and will the readers of EverBeautiful be able to make these looks their own?
Emily Brickel Edelson: We’re going to see a lot of influence from the 70s. There will be a lot of suede and fringe, and I think you can incorporate that at any age. I also think the pastels, the Pantone colors of light baby blue and light pink are really flattering and really wearable and we’ll see that all over for spring and summer. There’s also a Spanish influence that’s really cool and that transcends all ages as well. [It can be seen in] off the shoulder looks, rompers or shirts with ruffles. Red is also indicative of the Spanish influence which is characterized by an ‘easy, breezy’ feeling. I’m seeing lots of orange as well. It’s a little harder to wear but, this season, will be a toned down coral-y orange. We’re also going to see a lot of different textures in clothes, like bows, lame and iridescent sheens as well as a lot of patterns.
EB: What about the silhouette?
EBE: The silhouette will be the 70s meets the 90s. There is an emphasis on pants. There are high waisted pants, often worn belted as well as an emphasis on a more voluminous, belled sleeve for a billowy silhouette. There is still the body con silhouette but a looser fit is a newer trend. The shift dress is coming back. That’s part of the 90s trend. A bomber jacket over a tighter dressy outfit can be worn during the day with flats. Coverings and layers are going to be huge and don’t have to be skin tight. There’s also a Victorian influence [with] ruffles, florals, high collared necklines for a romantic look. Lingerie is another influence and, for many designers, including Balenciaga, McQueen, Gucci and Chanel, more is more. There are also wrap skirts that tie into bows and zip you in. I’m seeing that in pants too, many of which will have an element like that. The Row is doing that. It takes your eye to your waist and is a flattering look.
EB: What’s the mood of fashion for Spring 2016?
EBE: People are dressing for feeling good. There are so many more options now. Women can feel sexy and look great but not have to be in mile high shoes and tight dresses although for evening that trend will probably never go away. I think flats are huge and will continue to be huge for 2016. Look for sneakers, mules and lower heels with raised platforms for day. That’s part of the 70s influence.
EB: What else can we expect for Spring?
EBE: Sheer, mesh and daytime sequins are exciting but may not be widely accepted. I see this as a smaller trend. Having sequins for day is cool because it’s an unexpected texture. Sequins in muted colors, as opposed to black or silver, is a more casual look. They’re doing that at St. Laurent. Also look for different textures like appliques, for example. Those were seen at Dolce & Gabbana, who showed sequins on appliques. There are also bold graphic stripes for spring. That’s different because we haven’t seen that lately. While I think it’s hard to wear a vertical or horizontal stripe, we’re going to see stripes in a new way for spring. They’re broken apart and turned at different angles. Different parts of the garment will have stripes at different angles and different thicknesses. [It’s a more flattering way to wear stripes] that doesn’t show all of your flaws. It’s all about that graphic and 70s influence as opposed to that form-fitting- showing-every-little-curve-you-have look.
EB: What about accessories? What can we expect?
EBE: There are a lot of fur accessories for spring. For example, earrings with little fur pom poms. They’re being done in both real and faux fur. It’s a fun pop of color you can add to your outfit. Chokers will also be huge for spring. I’ve seen them as a necklace and also as an extension of the clothing. That’s part of the 90s trend. The half-moon handbag is easy to wear and fun and can go from day to night. Lots of different brands are making that shape so it will be an accessible trend for everyone.
EB: So who’s doing what?
EBE: Look for the romantic trend at Balenciaga, Gucci, Cavalli, Chanel and McQueen. The Spanish influence was seen at Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler and Givenchy and Prada, Chanel and Dior did textures, bows, lames and iridescent looks.
EB: Ok, so I’ve heard that If you lived through the trend the first time, you can’t wear it when it comes around again. What do you think about that?
EBE: Everything is done smarter, technology has evolved. Fashion always recycles itself and I think it’s cool to wear something you loved when you were younger, but in a new, modern way.
EB: How would you sum up the season?
EBE: It’s a more minimalist take on the various decades and the retro chic of the 70s and 90s. It’s a fun, new way of wearing familiar trends and there’s that emotional attachment. It means something. It has more significance than just clothing and I think that’s what fashion should do. Fashion should take you to a certain place and make you feel a certain way and there’s extra influence in that this season.
EB: What’s next?
EBE: I’m really excited to see what they’re showing for fall and see how that carries through from what they’re showing for spring.
Thank you, Emily Brickel Edelson!
Follow ChicSketch on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chicsketch, Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/chicsketch and Twitter – https://twitter.com/chicsketch. And read and follow Emily’s blog at http://blog.emilybrickel.com and visit her Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyBrickel.
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Congratulations, Melody, on posting the best article on Spring fashion 2016 available on the internet. It is beyond interesting, clear, concise and above all informative. A joy to read. Emily Brickel Edelson rates raves for her treasure trove of fashion know-how.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it! I agree that Emily Brickel Edelson summed up the season perfectly! xo