By Zinia Mbaroro
AS we wait in anticipation to emerge from a cocoon of puffer jackets and beanies, it can be next to impossible to imagine a life beyond the winter uniform. But local fashion designers have shed some light on the blossoming subject of what will be trending this spring.
Spring is known as the season of fresh beginnings after a long winter; it is time to come out of hibernation and to forge ahead into something fashionably new. Whether you plan to dabble in bold statement African prints, head-to-toe denim or easy-to-style capsule wardrobe and useful pieces, one thing is clear, it’s the time for a sexier, more frivolous and carefree look.
Local designers such as Ingo Shanyenge and Lourens Loux Gebhardt – the Vintage Guru, have unpacked the latest collections on the easiest to wear yet trendy outfits this spring. Gebhardt explained how certain designs from the golden ages of our grandparents’ closets will always be trendy and a lot more relaxing and less buttoned down.
On the other hand, Shanyenge said his new love affair with splash fluorescent colours will breathe life back into any wardrobe. He added that spring is all about bright colours and getting rid of anything dark and heavy.
“Spring is all about fluorescent colours, so yes this is the season to take out your flowery dresses for the ladies and performance T-shirts for the gentleman for a breezy kind of feel”.
For all the African print fanatics the trick of the trade this coming spring seems to be a remix of colour couture of African print says local tailor Soro Latte Marius better known as Vaniah.
“African print will definitely be trending this spring. African print is not pinned down to just one style – it looks good in a suit, high waisted shorts, dresses and jumpsuits. Playing around with these diverse patterns this spring will be a must see and it will definitely fly off the shelves as people in Namibia love it.”
After the necessity of winter layering, being able to dress in a very simple way is freeing and this all starts with the right fabric that will allow your skin to breathe along with the clothes. According to Vaniah linen is one of the best fabrics to look out for in the upcoming season.
The Vintage Guru says he will be all about bowties and suits but will be making a slight change to his wardrobe collection by minimising the colour black in his designs for spring.
“For the ladies that love their leggings try to avoid black there are many colours to choose from but do not pick out the loudest colour in the shop take a shade lighter but by all means try to avoid black. For the gentlemen, keep the suits light and colourful do not be afraid to play around; mix and match no matter how bizarre it might look.
If you like black do choose a blooming shirt just to mix it up a little,” says the Vintage Guru.
According hairstylist Chris Toller the best way to get rid of hair-do blues for the new season is to simply lighten everything up from clothes to hair.
“One mistake people always make is going overboard with hair colour or even hair styles. Yes the season is all about being colorful but there is no need to be extreme. When changing your hair colour try to just go for simple sexy highlights or choose a lighter shade from your previous hair colour.
I think the hair styles to go for this spring should be short crop, because sometimes less is more”.