Louise Armstrup SS 10

Danish born Louise Armstrup studied with Alexander McQueen before starting her own line in 2006. For her Spring/Summer 10 collection shown at London fashion week, the prints and cuts were inspired by shattered mirrors and a surrealist perspective. Everything about this line is so futuristically now, and the McQueen influence is evident but not overbearing. This type of mirrored, psychedelic print direction is something near and dear to Pattern People, and we've been working on some new prints in this vein that we're super excited about! Sneak previews coming soon!

Spring 10: African Prints

Issey Miyake, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Eley Kishimoto, Suno
African prints have been trending for a few years now, and seem to be gaining steam with heavy hitters like Marc Jacobs, Givenchy and Eley Kishimoto using them generously in their Spring 10 collections. Lively mixed prints, jagged organic shapes, batiks, and colorful messy stripes are all looking playful and fun right now. Take a look at some more inspirational textiles on the Pattern People blog.

Spring 10: Japan Fashion Week: Geos

Mint Designs, Matohu, Mint Designs, Matohu, Tiny Dinosaur

Matohu
Japan fashion week is a sea of inspiration. Geos from Matohu and others look new but familiar, and the cuts and drapes are impeccable.

Spring 10: Japan Fashion Week: Florals

Somarta, Yuma Koshino, Dress 33, Yuki Torii, Somarta
Japan's fashion week looked to be on a caliber all its' own. Beautiful prints, gorgeous cuts, and soft sillouhettes dominated. Giant head adornments were prevalent as well. The florals seen above seemed to tie back to the floral trends happening all over. Cabbage roses, soft smudgy textures, and ditsies.

Spring 10: Tripping Out

Alexander McQueen

Basso and Brooke, Mary Katrantzou, Basso and Brooke, Nicole Miller. Background: Pattern People
Woah! Did somebody spike the water supply in London? Some of our favorite print designers are on a serious acid trip. Of course, McQueen's show was an insane event of epic proportions. Basso and Brooke and Mary Katrantzou had similar print stories to one another, with swirls and space ship lights whizzing around. At some points, as above, the prints could have come from the same designer. Nicole Miller must have caught the transmission in New York as she adorned her dresses with cosmological placement prints.

Spring 10: Pattern Overload!

Duro Olowu (x2), Eley Kishimoto, Dries Van Noten

Rodarte, Louis Vuitton, Paul Smith, Wunderkind, Issey Miyake
For those of us that love pattern, it's fun to see layers of draped cloth oozing with different prints but living together in harmony. Wearing different patterns together takes some skill and usually creates one of three effects: earth mama of the world, crazy lady, or torn up goth after a night of casting spells.

Spring 10: Conversationals

Miu Miu, Prada, Giles, Karen Walker, Holly Fulton
Miu Miu explored the tension between innocence and sexual knowledge, with images of kitty cats, birds, apples, and naked men on preppy school girl outfits. Miuccia then took a light and literal approach to the Prada line with photographic, tonal beach scenes.

The concept for Karen Walker's line was inspired by a movie called "The Prisoner," in which former spies are inprisoned on an island. The idea is, Holiday for prisoners. Lots of nautical stripes and maritime flags adorned the line.

Holly Fulton was the shining star of Fashion East's presentation. Prints and appliques of skyscrapers created a very original and forward look to her simple dresses.

Spring 10: Geometrics

Jonathan Saunders, Nicole Farhi, Karen Walker, Eley Kishimoto, Issey Miyake.
Background: Pattern People

Mary Katrantzou, Eley Kishimoto, Kenzo, Matthew Williamson, PPQ,
Background: Pattern People
The geometrics were very interesting this season, some inspired by Africa and Morocco, some with a 60's look, and others with an active-wear feel.

Spring 10: The State of Florals

Matthew Williamson, Duro Olowu, DKNY, Gaspard Yurkievich, Cynthia Rowley

Issa, Eley Kishimoto, Maurizio Pecararo, Eley Kishimoto, United Bamboo

Rebbekah Taylor, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Dior, Stella McCartney, Richard Chai
The Spring 10 shows had varying takes on the floral; from starkly graphic, to soft and smudgy, to tiny and sweet. Our favorites were Christian Dior's sexy use of the ditsy, Cynthia Rowley's smokey gorgeous florals, Eley Kishimoto's graphic flowers, and Maurizio Pecararos's pastel cut-outs.