FROM THE RUNWAY TO THE REALWAY

FROM THE RUNWAY TO THE REALWAY
Kudos to Arise Magazine for producing a world-class fashion week on Lagos soil, Nigeria. They certainly upped the ante this year; with the array of international designers and models. Last week, I said I would continue with more trends this week but I was totally blown away by what I saw at the Arise magazine fashion week that I can't help but look back at this phenomenal event and the trends from it's runways. Last week I mentioned sheer was one of the trends but I didn't realize how huge this trend was going to be among the designers. Almost every designer had a sheer fabric that acted as either the main focus of the garment or as an accent or trim. The sheer and see-through look is probably the most notable trend for 2012. Several designers included a few key pieces using sheer fabrics to create flowing gowns, dainty dresses and more. A few of them loved the idea of going all out on sheer. There was a lot of ooohhhs and aaahhhs from the audience on seeing these ensembles. You can go out there and create your own ooohhhs and aaahhhs but you have to know how to work this trend and keeping the look sophisticated and glamorous at the same time.
HOW TO WEAR SHEER
Sheer blouses, skirts and dresses with see-through panels conjure the smoke-soaked 1970's mood of powerful women who conceal as much as they reveal. Unfortunately, the fear of looking perverse rather than polished is a real one for women today. You want to look sexy without giving it all away. The sheer trend is the simplicity and feminity that defines the way women want to dress this season. Full exposure is a look best left on the runway. Designers need the outfit to be strong and eye-catching on the runway but of course you want to tone it down for the realway. Don't dress up in head to toe sheer like we saw on the runways. You can do the long sheer sleeves or sheer panel bodiceThe peekaboo quality of sheer fabrics when sparingly used on the right fabric can be empowering. For those who like the fluidity but not the sheerness, tanks, slips or other foundation garments allow for much coverage.

Culled from Life & StyleSavvy with Susan Ikhine Column,City People Magazine.