Inspiration from AW 08 Trends: Colours & Themes

As the collection will be for Autumn Winter, it is crucial to look at last years Autumn Winter trends, themes and colour palettes as there should be a fluid and logical transition between the two seasons.

Below are trend inspirations obtained from WGSN. From these, I can take inspiration for the next AW collection that I am designing for.

There are 4 key themes demonstrated:

1) Chronicle
Colours are subdued and warm, with low values and chromas. Dark blues and greens are mixed with browns and beiges. The colours look very natural. This theme doesn't really tie in well with Miu Miu's colour philosophy, which normally adopts vivid and high chroma hues.

2) Ad Hoc
These theme uses a similar colour palette to Chronicle, applying the principle of familiarity, where all natural hues are used. Again, the hues are not strong enough in value and intensity to be fitting with Miu Miu's image. Miu Miu is the sister brand of Prada, empitomising the fun, playful nature of fashion, therefore, bolder, more exciting colours need to be included in the colour palette.

3) Studio
Higher value hues are used with Vermilon and Gauloises. The Complimentary colour theory is applied here, where colours opposite in the wheel are put together, such as Cobalt and Brick. This creates contrast, enhances their values and adds intensity to the colour scheme. This is something that Miu Miu often does in its collections. The collections are normally divided into two, showing two differing, yet complimenting colour palettes. This often includes hot and cold colour groups, which creates real contrast and gives the collection a schizophrenic feel.

4) Flourish
This theme is very natural and earthy. This colour scheme is fresh and vibrant making use of pinks and purples, such as Mulberry and Cerise. Despite the boldness of colour, the hues still look quite natural, especially when placed with greens and blues. Using softer tones and of colours such as Sorrel, creates balance to the scheme and doesn't make the harsh, intense pinks so over powering. This colour scheme is more in line with Miu Miu's colour philosphy because of the mix of harsh and soft hues. The intense pinks and purples, give the theme a certain edge of fakeness, linking with the Principle of Novelty. This is something common in the Miu Miu collections.

The vibrancy of this colour palette is really striking, especially the hot pink, the turquoise and the deep purple hues. Although the colours have been and could all potentially be used in Miu Miu's collections, the scheme is far too broad. In keeping with Miu Miu's colour philospophy, I will need to limit the collection to fewer hues and just very the tints and tones to create difference in the way that Miu Miu does.

This theme links in so well with Miu Miu as a brand because of its element of Schizophrenia: completely opposing colour groups are matched together in a pleasing manner. For example, the Bubblegum Pink and Damsone make an unlikely match with Evergreen and Cobalt. This is one key factor that defines Miu Miu's collections: pairing together the unlikely.