Fields' Forecast: Hot Pink, Mod Styles and Jagged-Edged Skirts
Sexy, casual chic and preppy looks and intimate apparel are designers’ inspirations for Spring 2004, according to Barbara Fields, whose buying office presented a trend seminar on Oct. 13 at the California Market Center.
Some 200 buyers attended the seminar, which kicked off the Oct. 13–16 run of the Los Angeles Junior & Contemporary Majors Market.
Sophisticated tweed jackets and skirts sporting jeweled chains paired with tissue-jersey shirts were reminiscent of a certain French designer icon, while some new wave–inspired looks, such as striped off-the-shoulder shirts with foil treatments and fuchsia leggings, brought back memories from two decades ago.
In the tops category, Fields said tank tops with lace, racer-backs, side-ruching and multiple layers; soft dressing camisoles with lace and beaded trims; colorful and sporty Henley shirts; and “Marilyn” off-the-shoulder-style and novelty T-shirts with details such as personalized initials or astrological- sign screen prints will be among retailers’ top 10 sellers. Key trims on shirts will include zippers, sequins and flowers, bows, and hardware, she said.
Fields said retailers are sure to see a strong decrease in activewear during Fall and should, instead, add more flavor to their bottoms inventories. “There are some major trends happening with the evolution of the skirt,” she said.
Some of those looks include layering, box pleats and jagged edges with embellishments such as zipper details, jeweled brooches and other hardware.
For Spring, juniors will rule the school with feminine looks. Several junior designers continue to take their cue from contemporary apparel makers with their own versions of A-line skirts and dresses with tulle hems. In an effort to draw consumers, some junior apparel makers plan to create packages with matching flip-flops.
Denim-wise, there are plenty of styles for retaile r s , inc luding skir t , scooter, mini, rolled-leg and cropped-pant styles. Novelty treatments include a six-dip wash, a vintage wash, sandblasting and fraying. Because of increased competition, many denim makers are opting to retail their lines with wristbands and other accessories. —Claudia Figueroa
Key Trends bull; Mod miniskirts by Moa Moa bull; Tweed jackets and skirts with chain details by Luna Chix bull; Leather racer jacket by B-Lucid bull; Bobby J’s optical-print circle skirt bull; Club Knit’s color-blocked mod sweaters bull; Johnny-collar knit shirts by California Concepts bull; Hot Tempered’s striped nylon “Marilyn” top bull; Eyeshadow’s tissue-jersey novelty tops bull; Jagged-edged skirts by Shameless bull; Belted denim miniskirt by Bubblegum USA
