NEW YORK — “Color is the driver for the fall-winter 2001 season.”
That was the message from Sandy MacLennan, European trend consultant for Tencel at the lyocell brand’s latest Global Fabric Fair.
The trend presentation, called “Intuition,” highlighted three color themes: Incense, Taste and Feel. Within those themes MacLennan also worked in fabric trends that included: Sportluxe, Refined and Defined, Denim and Beyond.
“Three strong statements reflect the consumer’s passion for colorful living,” said MacLennan. “For Incense, we look at color as therapy. The purples, pinks and magentas in this group have a fragrance to them, while the greens that compliment the palette give a true floral feel that is nostalgic and sensual.
“I think it’s wonderful to see so much color for the winter season,” he added.
Patterns in the Incense group are diverse, chic and grown-up, said MacLennan, and includes both decorative prints and colorful wovens. “Contrast is also key with a moleskin against a fine jersey, for instance,” he added.
For Taste, the palette is more neutral and luxurious. “There’s been an upsurge in people wanting to dress up and this trend plays on that entirely,” he said. “The look is chic, well mannered and accessorized.”
The theme joins rich caramel beiges and browns with reds and olives. “It’s an eclectic mix of pattern and plains that acknowledge traditional values,” he continued.
Fabrics and patterns include wool-blend worsteds, emerized melanges and neat checks and stripes.
The Feel theme, meanwhile, focused on a palette of gray and beige mixed with blue. “This trend is more connected to casualwear, yet it’s polished and not as ‘used’ looking,” he noted.
Although the hands of the fabrics are chalky, dense and tough, they are also clean and refined.
Denims and corduroy, for instance, look stiff, yet possess a soft hand. “Corduroy is more luxurious, while denim is both glitzy and rustic, but still fluid,” said MacLennan.