These two cities create the perfect mix, London’s individualism combines with Milan’s confident style, and both approach trends from different angles. The leading trend, Art Surfaces, explores decorative patterns from flat illustrations through to 3D effects that jump off the surface. Light Switch centres around the trend for lingerie-influenced slips/bralets and lightweight fabrics, which are pleated or coated with metallic shine. Elite Sport continues the obsession for sportswear, this time it’s supercharged with luxurious finishes…

Our leading trend, Art Attack, focuses on artistically patterned and painterly surfaces. Knife Edge examines the craze for pleats, fringes and cutout segments, while Athletic Kick looks at sportswear, an area that all designers are getting into. Innocents turns to tomboys and schoolgirl uniforms – formal clothes that pack an unexpected punch. Showgirls make their entrance in lingerie inspired styles with bold decoration and hi-impact metallic colours. Our final trend Streetbeat, takes its cue from the street and points the way forward for denim, leather and workwear areas.

This season softness reverberates through the New York catwalk collections; from slipdresses to tailoring styles have less structure and an easy fluidity. Sportswear and street styles turn to the nineties for inspiration and eveningwear packs a dramatic punch.

The resort collections feature a taster of new, innovative swimwear and beachwear for spring/summer 2014. Contrast fabrics are expertly combined, dividing and splitting the shapes into segments. Unexpected pairings of gingham/floral, mesh/solid, pattern/plain or lace/sheer provide an offbeat touch that keeps the looks fresh.

The resort collections don’t go in for obscure concepts, these clothes offer a fashion reality check that sets the tone for future streetwear. DESIGNers pull out all the stops to create the new must-have essentials that have the same appeal as styles from the main line shows.

In general there’s a strong move towards unisex and masculine styles, especially in the footwear sector. The majority of glove styles are boyishly bulky with fur linings, padded sections or added knitwear. Headwear reflects a similar mannish mood in unisex styles, such as, trilbies, fedoras, knitted beanies and sports caps. Belts are the only exception to the rule often hugging the waist in feminine corset-like styles at Etro or cinching the waist like a waspie at Jil Sander. Sporty sunglasses are hi-tech with blackout lenses; at Acne these are squashed into narrow slit frames, while at Just Cavalli styles are shaped into winter sport goggles with a neon trim.

The prevailing punk theme is a perfect fit for jewellery. Chunky chains are stacked into collars at Lanvin, Rodarte twists innocent looking chains into barbed wire and many designers, including Jean-Paul Gaultier, Dries Van Noten, Francesco Scognamiglio and Roberto Cavalli, all showed ear cuffs that curve around the entire ear…
This information-packed jewellery report zooms in on the key styles of the season and provides trend analysis to inspire and inform your next accessory collections.

Shapes are evolving, changing the way we hold and carry bags. Some styles navigate the hand through a strap or split while others offer both shoulder and short handle options. Highly functional styles provide wallet-style compartments, detachable flat pockets or genius two-in one bags. Sizes are generally compact and neat with some roomy totes, hobos and holdalls being the exception to the rule. This dedicated bag issue, allows you to connect with the key shapes, materials and direction of trends moving forward.

The Paris report is our biggest this season purely because of all the amazing ideas emerging out of this inspiring city! DESIGNers are embracing extreme silhouettes and reducing detail for a greater impact in ‘Abbreviated Shape’. In ‘Construction Work’ utility styles emerge with a rebellious edge and a flicker of punk. ‘Femme Fatale’ features killer dresses in streamlined shapes, which evoke the seductive appeal and style of film noir heroines. There’s plenty of attitude in our next trend ‘Sporty Swagger’, where the latest sportswear inspired styles are compellingly tricked out in punchy colour or bold graphic patterns. ‘Check Point’ includes tartan patterns, which have strong links with the punk era, and this connection is emphasised in hybrid styles that blend biker-style leather panels with check patterns. ‘Get Stoned’, introduces fluid, loosely structured silhouettes in printed effects that are evocative of patterned stones.academy.

Milan puts its own spin on the current mood and instigates some exciting new trends. ‘Gilded Palace’ showcases the Italian art of dramatic pattern and poetic design. The punk trend continues with an upmarket version – less fierce and more sensual. Milan likes to dress women as grown-ups and this season the look takes on a ‘40s line. Checks and tartans are steeped in heritage and our ‘Highland Edge’ theme reveals the unconventional side of tradition. ‘Urban Bang’ takes cues from the sporty trends in New York and London; in Milan styles are super modern and straight out of the school of minimalism, via a military academy.