Spring 2011 is all about prints, and we’re not just talking about the floral jumpers you wore last summer. From succulent fruit-printed dresses at Stella McCartney, to Prada‘s banana-monkey skirts, and seaside-inspired jackets at Timo Weiland, prints stood out on the runways from New York to Paris. While Oscar de la Renta and Dries Van Noten have been turning out the prints for ages, it’s exciting to see quirky designs shimmy down the catwalk from some of our other favorite designers. Prada’s banana-monkey shirts are too daring, you say? Let’s not forget the splash Miuccia’s sparrow-print shoes made in Miu Miu‘s fall/winter 2010 collection.
Here’s a peek at what’s sure to be spring’s most head-turning trend with these 10 inspiring designer looks.
When bold colors aren’t enough, take a nod from Prada, and add some monkeys, bananas, cherubs, and Josephine Baker-like silhouettes to your wardrobe. There’s nothing like wearing head-to-toe print, especially if it’s juicy grapefruits, lemons, and oranges, like we saw on the Stella McCartney runway.
Leave it to an eclectic designer like Isaac Mizrahi to get inspired by Xerox copies for his most memorable Spring 2011 print. For the perfect balance of downtown cool and uptown chic, mix classic prints with interesting textures and contrasting colors à la Proenza Schouler.
If you’re not sure where to start with the print trend, begin with accessories. With dropping temperatures, now is the perfect time to experiment with printed hats, gloves, and scarves inspired by Timo Weiland’s Spring 2011 show. Play up the season’s affinity for graphic colors with a geometric print, Prabal Gurung style.
Make your floral print stand out from the rest with mega 3-D flowers in signature Erdem style. Incorporate something personal, like Rag & Bone designer Marcus Wainwright, who blew up and distorted a photo he took while on vacation to create a unique print for the label’s Spring 2011 collection.
Offset a quirky pattern, like this fruit print from oddball designer favorite Moschino Cheap & Chic, with a delicate fabric and classic cut. Looking to make a statement? Take a cue from Suno by mixing contrasting, but complementary prints.
