Native and Cosmic Influences

Miharayasuhiro x 2, Paul Smith, Gaultier, Zero + Maria Cornejo.
background: Pattern People

Above are some of our favorite examples of tribal and cosmic-influenced prints. Think Native American peyote journeys, earth ceremonies, cosmic visions.

Spring 11 Menswear: Splatter

Jean Paul Gaultier, Dries Van Noten x 2

Conjuring up Jackson Pollack, Gaultier makes splatter look tough and gestural. Dries Van Noten's classic white shirts look like inks, blood-like fluids, and motor oil has been thrown onto them in an angry gesture.

Resort 11: Lace

Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Stella McCartney x 2, Twinkle, Hanii Y. background: Pattern People

Givenchy x 2, Diane Von Furstenberg, Givenchy x 3. background: George Moskal for Pattern People

Lace comes in infinite variations with the latest collections.

Resort 11: Stripes

Suno, Twinkle, Hanii Y, Missoni, Tory Burch

Suno, Naeem Khan, Twinkle, Suno, Diane Von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler

Stripes big and small dominate the Resort 11 collections.

Resort 11: Tribal

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Angel, Suno, Missoni, Diane Von Furstenberg. background: Pattern People

Above are some tribal prints that conjure up the tropics, South Africa, native cultures, quilting, and dye techniques.

Resort 11: Abstract Florals

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Naem Khan, DKNY, Reem Acra.
background: Pattern People

Abstracted florals show a big presence on the Resort 11 runways. Scale varies, from oversized to small-scale that becomes textural. This type of prints tends to feel modern and sophisticated, feminine without being sweet or girly.

Resort 11: Dots

Zero + Maria Cornejo, Yves Saint Laurent,Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Hanii Y, Zero + Maria Cornejo, Diane Von Furstenberg. background: Pattern People

Above are some fun dot interpretations. Our favorites from New York are Diane Von Furstenberg and Zero + Maria Cornejo's dots. The large scale feels fresh and clean this season.

Resort 11: Textures

Doo.Ri, Suno, Hanii Y, Twinkle, Balenciaga, Yigal Azrouël, Marc by Marc Jacobs. background: Pattern People

On the Resort 11 runways, one of the biggest trends we're seeing is a prevalance of small-scale textures with hints of floral or scenic imagery. It's a nice abstracted update to the ditsy florals that have been all over women's wear and accessories for the last few seasons.

Summer Print Accessories

Prints appear on all sorts of accessories this Summer. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Tsumori Chisato Shoes

2. Guy de Jean x Opening Ceremony Umbrella

3. Carven Scarf

4. Erdem x Cutler & Gross Lace Print Sunglasses

INSPIRATION: PATTERNITY

Patternity is a pattern resource center out of East London. They create a line of products with clean geometric patterns, and inspire the masses with pattern-related photos and image.

SP11 | Dion Lee

photos via Jak + Jil

Another Australian designer is leaving his mark on the fashion world. Dion Lee has risen the ranks in the last couple of years using his exquisite sense of tailoring as his calling card. This season, his controlled tailoring techniques are juxtaposed by Rorshach ink blot prints to create a fluid look. In an interview with Dazed & Confused magazine, Lee comments on the prints, "I wanted them to have a freedom to them but to still have a sculpture to them....I love that they are open to interpretation."

TREND | Swirling Universe

Helmut Lang, Rick Owens, Top Shop, Thakoon. background: Pattern People

We've been seeing these swirly, smokey, cosmological prints on runways and retail for a few seasons now, but they still feel very edgy and new. The mysterious nature of these prints lends a cool sophisticated edge to everything it touches, and so far its been mostly in the realm of the edgiest labels: Helmut Lang, Christopher Kane, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Threeasfour. In other words, if you're starting to think of Fall/Winter 2011, there's still lots of room to explore this direction.

I Come from a Land Down Under | Part 1

Inspiration for Spring line

Tina Kalivas SP 10

Totem poles and Pac Man aren't necessarily two ideas you'd think would go together. However, Australian fashion designer, Tina Kalivas, has done just that for her Spring 10 line. Blending glowing graphic prints with intricate ethnic details, Tina creates a juxtaposition of shapes and forms that work together beautifully. Check out her home and studio here via The Selby.