Trends: Forget Colour-Blocking, Here's Print-Blocking

One of the most shocking trends of 2011 is colour-blocking. In both the Spring and Fall season, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons sent a myriad of hot pink, burning orange and shocking blue down the runway in forms of creepers, minimal dresses and fox furs -  you know, the cool stuff. For Spring 2012, however, designers decided to tone it down and declared colour-blocking in pastels and prints as the latest trend. Ladies and Nyan Cats, print-blocking, if you may.

Now I should get my shit together: what is print-blocking? Some unknown genius made up the term "colour-blocking" when people started wearing more than two colours together. Print-blocking is like putting prints together... except way more hardcore than colour-blocking because wearing prints from head-to-toe was orginally tacky and still is. As I am typing this right now, I got a mental image of Kim Kardashian decked out in leopard and zebra every time I think of prints, and the effect is not exactly pleasing if you know what I mean. Not that I have anything against the Kardashians.

Fortunately, print-blocking is not trying to convince us to go what I called the Kardashian-way. The tribal prints at Thakoon are vibrant and effortless, and looks just like something a sophisticated scene kid would wear. With grandma socks from the 99¢ store of course. As usual, Rodarte's collection have signs of being inspired by the fantasy world. For Fall 2011, it was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Spring 2012, however, it seems to be contemporary paintings from the early 20th Century and sunflower fields. Although the collection seems distant from reality, there is one thing that is Rodarte contributed a lot to the shoe porn of Spring 2012. Speaking of shoe porn — Prada, Prada, Prada. Where do we begin? The mix of delicate embroidery, 50's poppy prints and retro car prints are nothing short of exquisite. At last we have Mary Katrantzou, the queen of digital prints. Majority of the collection, or rather, every assemble have some sort of prints, from colourful graphic ones to pastel florals.

Holy Moly, how can I express my love for these Thakoon prints without sounding like a moron? Actually, love would be an understatement. The paisley patterns and unconventional floral prints, bursting in intense shades of turquoise, orange and gold looks explosive over the collared shirts, line dresses and full skirts. This collection is practically a combination of colour-blocking, floral prints and sporty materials rolled into one. Thakoon Panichgul is a genius. And it matches your voltage-coloured hair, too.

The happy, optimistic sunflowers and cherry blossoms inspired the Mulleavy sisters for the latest Spring collection. Along with Impressionist paintings from artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Anna Boch, of course. Off the shoulder necklines, flowy skirts and delicate ruffles dominate the runway along with some bejewled, sparkling heels. You say unwearable; I say it looks ethereal. Honestly though, what kind of designer label gets support from Taylor Swift, Rooney Mara AND Beyoncé?

Although you might think wearing prints from head-to-toe is outrageous, let Mary Katrantzou change your mind. The Central Saint Martins graduate started experimenting with digital prints while she was still a student, and was recently awarded the Swiss Textiles award in 2010. From abstract, graphic prints to pastel florals, you named it, Mary Katrantzou got it. The floaty chiffon dresses, tailored suits and sheath dresses would look perfect on anyone from Anna Dello Russo to Alexa Chung.

It's Prada, bitches. Your argument is invalid.  Remember the Spring 2010 collection from Miu Miu? Nude ladies, white cats and little doves... the blogosphere died of excitement over this youthful collection designed by Miuccia Prada. And that was all three seasons ago! You might not be able to find any cat prints in this Prada Spring 2012 collection, but there is a lot of retro cars, poppy flowers and burning fire. Although it might be hard to imagine people like Kate Moss or Emmanuelle Alt to be wearing these cheeky dresses, never underestimate the power of 50's car prints... pin-up girl attitude not required.

Would you be seen on the streets looking like you crashed into the fabric stores covered in Krazy Glue?

photo source: vogue.com