By ELLEN LEWIS
Isn’t Paris amazing! Asked this question every year after I return from the Interfilière and Salon International de la Lingerie shows, I am hard pressed to respond. Paris, for me, is all about working the shows. I always find inspiration and this year, my market intelligence has been re-confirmed. Today’s review is focused on the fabrics, colors and consumer direction for the future of Intimate Apparel. And for this, we can thank the best source of this information available in Lingerie & Swim, Concept Paris and its leader, Jos Berry. I always cover this piece of the exposition first, because I learned years ago that the true foundation of Lingerie design resides in the materials and colors that create the final product. Concept Paris culls this information together from extensive research, not only from the textile industry, but also color and cultural forums.
There were some major messages, many previously established but whose momentum has only escalated with time. This has eliminated the seasonality aspect to fashion and blurred the lines globally between yesterday, today and tomorrow. In a nutshell, the most blatant are: Collaboration, Sustainability, Nature, Well-Being, Empowerment, Independence and Charity; and, of course, the power of color to define these movements. Lingerie Briefs will take a deeper look as the year evolves. Of critical importance was a special platform for 30 up and coming international indie designers whose passion for independence in order to express their ideas is a subject close to my heart. Today, I offer you a visual take away from Interfilère as well as a selection of Indie highlights (like the one above by Sam Tretton. And remember, many of these themes interact.
Evolving Pink and True Reds
Evolving Classics: Blue Denim, Chambray, Small Florals, Dots, Toiles
DeTox: Yellow and Green. Fresh, Food, Nature
Sport Chic: Deck Chairs, Stripes, Madras, Large Scales, 80’s Revival
Earthy: Inspired by Earthenware, Glazed, Artisanal
Watery Whitened Clean Colors
Rustic Retro: Handmade, Crafted, Natural Materials
Generous Blooms: Flowers Handpainted, Blurred, Wallpaper, Batik
Global Rhythms: Street & Sports Blend. Nets, Meshes, Geometrics
Save the Animals: Birds, Bees, Wing effects, Camouflage
Taking Care of Nature: Sustainability, Eco-Responsible Production, Recycling
Shaping: Fading Lines Between Sport, Shape and Beach. New research in Compression
Surface Effects: Technical surface treatment. Laminate, Bonding, Embossed, Textured Jacquards, Metallics, Foiled and Pearlized
Indie Independent Designers: a Selection
