California Apparel News

Barbara Fields, president of the Barbara Fields Buying Office, kicked off the Los Angeles Majors Market at the California Market Center on Oct. 9 with her biannual trend report showcasing the “million-dollar items” that will be hot for Spring 2006.

More than 300 fashionindustry professionals and key retailers from such stores as Lane Bryant, J.C. Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue, Wet Seal, Canada- based Stitches and New York–based Strawberry gathered around the denim-decorated tables as Fields and her assistants highlighted the new color palette, trends and bodies that will be important for Spring and styles that will be going forward into Fall 2006.

Fields compiles the junior trends from designer fashion influences and her buying trips to cities including London, St. Tropez and Cannes in France, and Tokyo’s Harajuku district in Japan. “When I make a decision on a trend, it’s global,” said Fields.

Some of the key “million-dollar items” include the metallic sweater—a body that Fields said was selling strongly at U.K.-based Topshop—and the gaucho in a range of fabrications. “The gaucho is money in the bank. It’s one of the most important and significant businesses,” Fields said. “The gaucho business in denim is off the charts.” Looking ahead to Fall 2006, Fields predicted the puffy vest that was popular in Japan would take off in the United States and that cable-knit sweaters with fur trim would be a key item.

Fields further emphasized the importance of denim with the ultimate item of the season—the cropped denim jacket. “If you don’t have a cropped denim jacket—forget it,” she said.

Key for Spring '06

bull; Military and utility styles such as jackets, cropped combat and cargo pants with bungee-cord tie bottoms in camouflage print, olive, khaki and brown with brass buttons and grommet hardware.

bull; Tribal- and African-influenced prints in olive, khaki, orange, brown and turquoise with lots of jewels, stones, feathers, wood beads, coins and shell trims.

bull; Gold and silver metallic knit sweaters in tank bodies, metallic foils and foil screens, gold-trimmed tops and crackedleather handbags.

bull; Folkloric embroidery on T-shirts, jeans and on the trim of skirts. Cocoon-shaped crocheted sweaters, crocheted shrugs, drawstring-front tunic tops and crocheted lace-back tanks.

bull; Track jackets with embroidery, sequin trim, cropped and ruched-front styles and knitted blazers.

bull; Edwardian and Victorian high-neck and cap-sleeved blouses with all-over lace, camisoles with a lingerie feeling, pearl and cameo details, gothic crosses, menswear-inspired woven vests and newsboy caps.

bull; The color white in prairie looks such as long gypsy skirts, pants, woven shirts and blazer jackets.

bull; Rock ’n’ roll–inspired insignias such as skulls, crowns, crosses and motorcycles studded on thermals, T-shirts, jeans and jackets.

bull; Denim gauchos, vests, cropped jackets and faded miniskirts paired with Western styling such as crinkled Western woven shirts, cowboy boots, studded leather belts and cowboy hats.

—Rhea Cortado