Tuesday 21 February 2012

Singapore Trends/SS 2012: Mae Pang does graphic colour blocking

Unlike high street chains and established designer houses, following a trend might not be the first thing on the mind of an up-and-coming label when designing a collection.

The desire to express more of their vision and unique style almost always takes over which, if you ask me, is a much better option than following the herd.

However for a large number of customers, seasonal trends which are set by the high end fashion designers during the international fashions weeks cannot be ignored.

This usually causes a dilemma for shoppers who wish to update their wardrobe: would they buy the mass-produced but ‘trendy’ pieces from the high street, or support the local designers and ignore the season’s trend?

Well because I’m such a nice person, I’ve decided to make it easy for you to do both :-)

Looks from  from BCBG MaxAzria SS2012 collection showing colour
blocking trend in a more graphic form and
 less loud than SS2011. 

As we are entering Spring/Summer 2012 season I’ll be doing the hard work for you, spotting the catwalk trends and finding Singapore or Asian designers whose pieces fit the bill. That way you get to look super cool and save money on those expensive European brands.

I’ll kick off the series with one trend which I personally love: graphic colour blocking.

More SS2012 geometric coloiur blocking with black from
Narciso Rodriguez (left) and Marc Jacobs (right)

Prabal Gurung's take on the trend was a little more subtle

Colour blocking was huge last summer and for SS2012, it remains so but with different and less ‘out there’ approach.

This season’s colour blocking uses black a lot, and colour in form of pleats, lines and geometric graphic shapes. The look is less loud and more sophisticated and verging on ‘aztec tribal’, yet maintains some fun feel which is what summer is all about!

My favourite looks from BCBG Max Azria SS2012 collection

My favourite colour-graphics look came from BCBG Max Azria in form of dresses and separates which  are easy to match with plain black for a more sober look or take to the next level by mixing it with prints and colour-block it further.

The local version: well I can’t help but love this MAE PANG blouse which looks great and takes on a neon version of the hottest colour combination of the season (pink and orange with black) from one of my favourite designers of the moment, Haider Ackermann.

Mae Pang's spot on trend chiffon blouse

Haider Ackerman's colour combination of orange/pink/black
works very well!

But for those who’d rather stick to a simpler yet as striking colour-palette, this MAE PANG blouse also comes in duotone version (black and neon pink) and a similar chiffon designs are also available in different colours combinations with black.

A doutone graphic colour block blouse from MAE PANG 
MAE PANG's designs stand out for their uniqueness yet remain trendy.

Although spot on trend, what sets these blouses apart are the beautiful material combination they’re made from (chiffon and vinyl or mesh and shimmer/matte appliqué) which make them look unique and more trend-setting than safe trend-following..

MAE PANG is available at Parco next NEXT and ActuallyActually  and the blouses start at S$119+.


Local fashionista Tjin Lee looking great in MAE PANG blouse at
last week's W.E.D. event!