By Marlene Naicker

Deep, rich colors that have an earthy quality. Mediterranean like in its style and visual references. For SS 2013 the catwalks of New York, Paris, London and Milan have come alive with vibrancy that touches all the right notes.

Marigold Yellows

A yellow is not just a yellow until it is singed with a deep honey like quality birthing the marigold yellow (Like its namesake the flower Marigold) The color blossoms onto the catwalks, with the likes of Oscar De La Renta & Meadham Kirchhoff, weaving it onto scalloped lacing, ruffled blouses and Moschino and Michael Kors onto well cut day suits. Feminine dresses in this vibrant yellow herald a summer of Indian Romance.
Accessories too, take the plunge and go for Bold Yellow, like parrots and macaws screaming at the top of their voices.
Whatever you do this season; make sure SS 2013 you have one small piece of your cupboard in Marigold Yellow.

Jade Mint Green

One warm summer evening, gliding through the waters of the Amsterdam Canals on a little boat, as the evening sun cast its shadows and the lights begun their dance – the walls came alive with an aquatic green that screamed for attention.
Jade Mint Green – a distant cousin of Spearmint. Beset with dark undertones and a deep, rich color comes to the fore.
Frida Gianni and Karl Lagerfeld read the tone well, in long flowing sateen and boucle tweed suits.

Mettallic Lamé

This Fall/Winter 2012 we are entombed by the deep rich baroque texturing. Black on Gold, Gold on Black – Entwined, Criss-Crossed, Embossed on clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery.
For SS 2013, we see the idea of mixing metallics evolve further, we chose to mix this with gold and silver creating a Lamé effect – like crushed silk. The color has added glamour and elegance to the catwalks amid the high octane of the bright primary colors. Fendi chose glittering sequined coats, whilst Versace used the color on tassels and belts onto short well cut dresses that screamed Sex Sirens. De La Renta and Valentino combined them with embellished crystals and fine lace, so dainty and sheer. Vera Wang and Marchesa went full throttle with detailed floral embroidery.
Accessories get a makeover from dull gold with this powerful concoction.

Floral Embellishments

Each season we see some innovative and out there embellishment (like Chanel’s Hula Hoop Bags or Sarah Burtons Bee-Hive Hats but this season the floral embellishments and prints were met with pleasing applause. Thanks to  Giambattista Valli  who has been playing on the floral attributes since season past, with his floret headpieces (SS 2012). SS 2013 is all about full on Flower Power.

Alexander McQueen  went the avant garde route, with a bee-hive inspired net, underneath chiffon embellished with huge white dahlias. Valentino laser cut its flowers onto pristine white fabric, in well-cut dresses that were belted and cinched at the waist. Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta and Chanel used the floral texturing in scalloping on their skirts; to embellishing on knee length dresses.

But of course leave it to Muiccia from Prada to take it to the max – with large graphic floral prints sewn, embellished and embossed onto everything, from the canvas bags, to coats and even the soles of her shoes!

Accessories to this season get a touch of  the Garden Madness ! We love the diverse richness of SS 2013, the colors and textures are emblazoned on wearable clothes and accessories, that enhance the feminine form, bringing back glamour  – with just a but of sunny optimism.

Pristine White Madness

To add balance to all the color craze this SS 2013, White proves to be the perfect middle point. But like seasons past, this year the color is eroded to its purest form – In Pristine White. Mulbbery combined them in casual but sophisticated jumpers in white cotton, Gucci used them in long length ruffled gowns, screaming Helen of Troy and Marchessa swung them onto free flowing layered tassels.

Accessories too, played on the color, matching with light gold hardware and black piping for monochrome contrasting.

Post sponsored by Muldooneys London