Summer accessory trends and Sheikha Mozah's turban

 

We've brought our catwalks analysis to a close for another season and the final part of our Key Item report highlights the important directions for belts, eyewear, jewellery and soft accessories for spring/summer 2011.

It was a largely low-key season for soft accessories, but headscarves, wraps and 70s turbans emerged as a strong commercial direction. the turban especially has been given extra attention in the past few days after Qatar's Sheikha Mozah visited the UK for an official state visit and images of the wife of the Emir of Qatar (and noted Paris couture client) led designer Julien Macdonald to hail her as the most influential first lady since Jackie Kennedy - although Michelle Obama might have something to say about that. It'll be interesting to see how the trend affects international fashion, especially in markets where head covering is the norm.

But back with our accessories report, being a summer season, there were plenty of eyewear directions, with rounded frames our lead story. There were also plenty of belt trends, as designers offered everything from wide waist-cinching waspies to super-skinny belts and cord wraps.

For jewellery, it was a notably minimal season in terms of design, with key items including simple metal cuffs, smooth-surface chokers or neck plates, and simple plastic bangles. At the more decorative end of the spectrum, designers offered fringed necklaces and rope jewellery.

Jodie Ball, Associate Catwalks Analyst and Sandra Halliday, director of market analysis & insight

Posted in: accessories,belts,Sheikha Mozah,sunglasses,turbans