Contrary to stereotype, fashion and individuality go hand in hand. There is no “in” this season, “out” the next; what is held paramount is personal aesthetic and the ability to present oneself in the truest way possible. The strongest collections this season showed distinctly different looks—which can be seen in the accompanying photos—but maintained a commonality in their concise direction. Individuality was the buzzword this season, it was less about trends and more about personal style. What came of this was a variety that everyone should find something in.
One overriding theme of inspiration was a sort of modern tribal eccentricity. Seen at Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten, this look involves tribal prints on and mixed with eclectic articles of clothing. The key to this trend is the mixture of patterns, prints, and eras. The amalgamation of these references creates a modern look that can be tweaked to suit your personal style.
At Prada and Lanvin, there was a sense of modern decadence in the clothes. Crystals and plastic were featured at Prada, while beading and ornamentation were shown at Lanvin. This trend translates easily into everyday with a bit of searching. Sequins and crystals are easy to find, but opt for the non-obvious; go for a champagne or grey rather than a bright saturated color. On the runways this trend was overt and opulent, but a little can still go a long way.
To offset the opulence and the eclecticism, there is the dark and austere. Riccardo Tisci’s Spring 2010 collection for Givenchy encapsulated this attitude. Black jackets with sharp nipped shoulders created the strong silhouette and were embellished with pleats. This look is easily pulled off but demands a good tailor. Value-World or Salvation Army are the best places to find blazers because they are inexpensive and are usually well made, but make sure to have it cut to specific individual measurements.
Spring 2010 offers a sartorial variety that is not typical of fashion. Though sequins, tribal prints, or sharp black jackets may give you are more “forward” look, it ultimately comes down to dressing for yourself.