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For most of us, the day of the first Spring blossoms is one of the best days of the year. It signifies an end to the bone-chilling temperatures & incessant layering-up, & beckons with a finger full of promise. The end of dumpling-wear! Rejoice! 
With this, of course, come the questions. What can we expect to see ourselves in this season? After all, no matter how little you like fashion, what is in style dictates what is available for purchase. 
The recent Spring 2010 collections shown in Paris are the best indication of where the industry is at. So, where is it at?

Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld’s “neon baroque” collection for Chanel will surely be a huge influence. He has taken what was already mid-revival — say, studded footwear & oversized hair-bows — & simply done it better than everyone else. While most of us have just been wearing a big floppy bow on the side of our heads, he has made them ornate & frothy, & placed them smack in the middle of a heart-shaped bouffant. He has combined a high-heeled bootie with a studded platform (two huge trends in & of themselves), but made the shoe entirely silver with an extravagant heel & jewel-encrusted buckles. While Chanel’s immaculate & easily identifiable cuts are still there, they’re in frosting hues: pastel pink & sweet lavender, with glittery silver & shimmering grey-blue.  Just like a couture cupcake.

Valentino
Valentino went for candy colors too. From violet powder smudged around the eyes to multi-hued pink chiffon dresses, the collection described as “a Garden of Eden in cyberworld” was truly youthful, adventurous & chic. Influenced by Avatar & obviously following the scent of Rodarte’s recent tribal-infused style, Valentino’s new creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pier Paolo Piccioli are clearly looking towards a bright new future.

Armani
There was more silver over at Armani Privé. Influenced by the moon, Giorgio Armani said, “I always need a hook to get into a collection, & that was it — thinking about something romantic & dreamy, far away from our everyday life. Something less harsh.”  No recessionista chic here. From crescent moon-shaped belt buckles to delicious, scalloped jackets, Armani returned true to form doing what he does best — essential glamour.  His beautiful, long gowns were so perfect that you could practically see them on the red carpet — their obvious destination. 
How do these things add up to impact you & your wardrobe?  My vision is of bright eye make-up & very colorful dresses.  Tulip-shaped shorts, as seen at Karl Lagerfeld, might make it through, too. High heels & platforms, feminine to the hilt. Handbags will be bright, too — Balenciaga has already rolled out their their iconic City & Work bags in sorbet (hot pink), outremer (outrageously royal blue), palm tree (bright green) & sang (lipstick red). When it comes to silver, think psychedelic, futuristic & bold. It will be all over your accessories, so learn to love it! Finally, expect to see a lot of pastel — they’re going to be big. 
Donna Karan once said, “Pastel shades flatter any skin tone.  Let your personality be the color.” It’s a timely lesson for all of us. 
What do you envision yourself in once the temperature picks up? Will you embrace color or stick to your tried-&-true Summer uniform?

Words by Gala Darling, 
Photos courtesy of style.com

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