11 trends for 2011

Brand new year, brand new you

Notice something new? To usher in 2011’s spirit of all things bold, fresh and new, YStyle commemorates the new year with a brand-spanking-new logo. Conceptualized by Everywhere We Shoot, the bright-eyed graphic design team best known for their pop-flash pics, cool style and hip aesthetic, the new YStyle sums up the section’s resolutions: its clean lines and bold strokes evocative of our mission to deliver lean, fresh stories every Friday. Watch out for our collaborations with local artists in the coming months as we take on bright new faces and talents in the weeks to come. Long live the new logo!

Last year all the girls who read Allure and logged on to stylebible.ph proudly wore hot pink lipstick, as if it were a VIP pass to the hottest club in the city. The shocking pink shade neatly complemented the messy ballerina bun, a pulled-back updo that ranked high in the preferred looks of 2010. The men, on the other hand, favored grungy boots (hence the return of the cumbersome Doc Martens) and utilitarian cogs.

Some may find trends pointless, some may think following them is the ultimate sell-out but they do actually serve an importance; it is in choosing to follow — or ignoring — a particular trend that we discover our niche and our idiosyncrasies.

With help from Vassilika Petrou, Procter and Gamble’s resident trend expert (who spoke at a recent beauty conference in Beijing), from MAC’s beauty lookbook for spring/summer 2011 and other beauty experts, YStyle presents the styles and movements that will make, break and define 2011.

Here’s to another year of self-discovery.

1. Back to the future

The look: This new decade marks that future Isaac Asimov, The Fifth Element and other early sci-fi enthusiasts hinted at: sleek structures, seemingly minimal concepts that belie innovative features, controlled shapes and technology integrated into fabric and other aspects of design.

Expert take: Procter and Gamble’s Vassiliki Petrou also talks about “emotive garments,” where engineers and designers collaborate on fabric with feelings.”

Get a clue from: The sculpted hairstyles at Prada, the reflective dresses at Isaac Mizrahi and the liquid silk dresses sent out by BCBG Max Azria

2. Metallic solid

The look: One aspect of the futuristic trend this year, metallics, give a subtle shine to the sartorialist tendencies of 2011. There’s a softer gleam to the refined colors of white, gold, pewter and champagne, as opposed to the tinny, tranny-esque finish of past metallic trends.

Expert take: Taking a cue from the ‘70s, albeit given a more polished twist, MAC suggests gold and pewter eye color and metallic gold pink and pearl as a highlight for cheekbones and lips.

Get a clue from: The glossy eyelids at Prada and Donna Karan; the metallic-ribbon laced frocks at Isaac Mizrahi and the champagne silk-satin dresses at Narciso Rodriguez

3. Youthful spirit 

The look: Spontaneous, fun, happy, young. We’re now in the post-recession mindset and reveling in it. Pastel colors, graphic accents, contrasting concepts liven up design for 2011, obliterating the need for happy pills.

Expert take: The P&G trend talk points out that the electric influence of youth is now more about creative simplicity rather than brilliant, affected opulence.

Get a clue from: The pop-out pastel makeup at Etro and Monique Lhuillier; the cheerful, candy-inspired stripes that sweetened up the Prada and Vivienne Westwood catwalks

4. The look of love

The look: It’s a cliché but no one cares much. Think love and you think sensual red-tinted lips, the beginnings of a pinkish flush, sultry looks, luxurious wine-colored satin and a lot of self-indulgence.

Expert take: Makeup guru and Max Factor chief global makeup artist Pat McGrath says that 2011 is all about red. Set lips afire with deep red shades or brighten up the eyes with a burgundy eyeliner.

Get a clue from: Roland Mouret and Yves St Laurent’s heart-inspired lips; and the various interplay of red shades at Emporio Armani and Marc Jacobs

5. Glamazon

The look: This is the new take on femininity: earthy, confident, powerful and a little bit wild. Animal prints are still prominent but combined with a palette of bronze, copper and browns. Tribal prints also take on a contemporary aspect. Time to rely on your survival instincts.

Expert take: Hair also makes its mark on this trend. “It’s about hair that looks like it wasn’t combed,” says Eugene Souleiman, global creative director for care and styling of Wella Professionals. Massage the hair roots (“It’s the new way of back combing.”) for that just-out-of-bed glamour warrior look.

Get a clue from: The sultry, smoky eyes at Missoni and Blumarine; Etro’s tribal-print maxi dresses and Roberto Cavalli’s untamed ensembles.

6. Black is back

The look: More a look for fall/winter, the comeback of black comes packaged with white. The strong contrast between these two shades ushers in a look of immaculate precision.

Expert take: Petrou talks of the comeback of the traditional smoky eye: deep charcoal and gray shades but dusted with white shimmer.

Get a clue from: Ann Demeulemeester’s dark shadows, Ferre’s kohl-lined eyes white-tipped at the corners, Givenchy’s structural white on black suits

7. Sculpted cheeks

The look: Think Eastern European. Cheekbones that look as if David Smith obsessed over them were carved into the lookbook for this season. Luminous highlights and mineral finishes give a sharp edge to cheeks. If you’re not born with good bone structure, fake it with various shades of bronzer.

Expert take: According to MAC’s Terry Barber, a lush light bronzer in a soft texture and that’s “not too orange” is perfect for achieving this look.

Get a clue from: The seriously damaging — and expertly bronzed — honed bones at Rick Owens and Anna Sui.

8. Nude attitude

The look: The killjoy to all the cheery, romantic shades are a clean base, bare brows and nude lips. If all the pomp and color and red turn you off, opt for sheer foundation and just the barest hint of pink on your lips.

Expert take: “Put concealer or foundation only where it’s needed,” suggests MAC makeup artist Diane Kendal.

Get a clue from: The bare-faced beauties at Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney and Chloe.

9. Blush strokes

The look: Blush is back! Whether in girlish pink or warm peach or even a shimmery red, this cheeky approach to beauty is one of the main facial focuses for this year.

Expert take: MAC’s Lucia Perroni recommends a warm peachy tone for that healthy, girl-next-door glow.

Get a clue from: The girly flush at House of Holland or the more sophisticated bronzy peach at Moschino.

10. Blues clues

The look: Taking inspiration from how the French do blue (particularly in the South of France), this trend for men focuses on subtler tones: cornflower blue, subdued navy or blue with grayish undertones. Also, expect denims to be bleached, as if they were washed numerous times, not as if they had gone through an acid reflux like in the ‘80s.

Expert take: This season’s blue will be seen on checks and stripes, and will be paired with celadon green, according to the P&G trend talk.

Get a clue from: The color-splashed pale and navy blue outerwear at Perry Ellis and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

11. Quantum leap

The look: A term coined from the talk Petrou gave at the P&G trend talk, this look for men means innovative, performance-driven design features. Men apparently want from their clothes what they get from their cars: futuristic elegance, metallic finishes and high precision.

Expert take: According to Petrou, this trend actually gives a more interesting feature to clothes as designers strive to come up with designs that are more anthropomorphic.

Get a clue from: The metallic suits at Etro and the shiny utilitarian pieces at G-Star.