Fashion is breaking into new territory again and tempting us with a new bold direction. In 2012 we welcome florals, sport luxury, neons and acid brights, and pastels.
Florals
Florals allow us to get back into conversation with Mother Nature but, rather than thinking of your grandmother’s frock, when floral patterns come to mind, instead imagine a bikini made with rose and carnation prints complete with beaded bags and espadrilles with African influence.
Head-to-toe floral looks amazing. However, if you find that you don’t want to channel your inner Chanel Iman, you can try statement pieces instead.
Try pairing a floral blazer with solid coloured tops and bottoms, and added a Ghanaian inspired rucksack to complete the look. I felt that the intensity of the patterns and colours that came together would have been approved by Mother Nature herself!
Sport Luxury
Sport has always been a major part of the accomplishments within African culture. Sport luxury is a new, seasonal look, whereby African influence can be seen incorporated into the most high profile catwalks and campaigns.
Leggings, designer trainers, wedge hi-tops, bumbags and parkas are all part of the sport luxury look.
Try this: Replace bumbag straps with African fabric for a trendy piece of culturally inspired waist candy.
With the Olympic Games in the UK around the corner, this is a time you can strut your sport luxury items for maximum impact.
Neons and Acid Brights
Neon and acid accent fashion is back.
It seems that these days the styles of the past are coming full circle at a rapid pace. The last time we saw such an oversaturation of neon and acid brights was in the early to mid 90s. Shocking pinks, acid blues and eye-blinding yellows are coming out in wedge heels, clutch bags and mac jackets.
In order to make your colours really pop, wear black as a base. Many African fabrics can now complement the brighter colours in your wardrobe and certainly make a statement.
Tip: Try a tribal African fabric clutch bag with a fluorescent pink exposed zip.
Pastels
As Easter approaches, some of us will remember egg hunts and baskets as children .Our mothers, in some cases, got us all ready for church or a family meal in our pastels and best outfits.
Well, pastels are back! Soft hues of pink, blue and green, all complemented by nudes, can be seen all over the high street this season. Pastels remind us of sugary goodness and sweeties from the ‘olden days’: gumdrop trousers, marshmallow dresses and candyfloss blazers with collared shirts.
This season is all about the innocence of colour, so move away from the seriousness of minimalistic and monochrome and trade your black and white for bright vibrant colour in new shades.
So, go out and play this spring, and discover what life’s dressing up box has in store for you!

Sherry Tagoe