The Ralph Lauren 2021 Spring Ready To Wear Collection is one of the most well designed assortment of pieces I have seen in a while. Not because the prints are particularly ground breaking, they aren't... but because the key colours and patterns are incredibly commercial, safe, yet still remain bold and stylish for their target market.  

It wouldn't surprise me if these were best selling prints from years ago that they had re brought back, just scaled up or down and coloured differently to suit the current market. To me, it is clear that these combination of colours, prints and garment patterns are going to lead to big sales. Take note, they take no risks.

What can we learn from Ralph Lauren? What can we learn from this collection?

Firstly, lets talk about colours. Without trying to sound like a broken record, let me just say the one word every designer is thinking, Navy! I am swooning over this particular shade, for me it feels like PANTONE Medieval Blue 19-3933 TPG, or perhaps Deep Cobalt 19-3935 TPG.

The brown speaks volumes for where commercial trends are heading. The fact that Ralph Lauren have chosen this to be their secondary colour, alongside Queen Bee navy should give you ALL the confidence you need to proceed with it in a big way for your next collection. This colour has been popping up on my radar so much recently I can safely say it is the colour of the season for trend forward consumers, with the shade hitting the main stream market in 2022.  Perhaps you even heard it here first. This brown feels like PANTONE Patridge 18-1124 TPG or Bison 18-1027, depending on the fabric. 

Now for the prints. The Geo's are simple, yet their small scale is what brings them into 2021/ 22. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a micro geo, especially when the colours are right. They have also nailed the monochromatic florals,  which are not only fashionable, yet cost effective. If screen printing, minimal tones can often be the best economical decision, as less colours = less money spent on cutting screens.

What I find interesting about the larger floral, is the single style motif, which is repeated in a different fashion over and over again. It is clear that this floral feels safe, bringing an element of minimalism into a dress that was designed to stand out.  The same goes for the second floral, filled in by curved leaves with sharp edges, a nice take on the traditional ditsy you usually see in it's place. 

All in all, I think we can learn a lot from this collection. I know readers of PL are serious about creating products that people want to wear, instead of designing to emotional desires, which is why we have designed an assortment of prints to cater for this need. Get in contact today for our site password, via the Enquiry page on our website. If you already have the password, be quick. I know staples at our price point always sell quickly.

Happy designing and I hope this post provided you with some value. Please leave me a comment if you want to join the conversation. Love, Britt. 

Print Libraries Client, Shade Swim is passionate about sun safety, sustainability and style. Their founder Alyshia, carefully creates timeless and thoughtful cuts with the female shape in mind. Believing that every woman deserves to feel comfortable in their swimwear, no matter their shape or size. Shade Swim is all about loving and protecting the skin you’re in.

Shade Swim purchased one of our classic and strong micro leopards, which has turned out to be a best seller. If you want to see where our inspiration came from, you can see our Trend Boards below! For more trends, be sure to look at the Trends Page on our Website or follow us on Instagram @PrintLibraries or Pinterest! 

At first we were a bit underwhelmed when we saw Pantone's 2020 Colour of the Year. It seemed like a safe, boring choice for something that is meant to cause ripples of conversation and Pinterest boards. Isn't cobalt blue in season every year? Its practically navy.

Although, upon some research and commercial consideration - it really does makes sense. 

So, why does it make sense?

It's written on the runway. Thank god honestly, because we were confused. 

This colour pops especially well in textiles rich in reflection, such as silk based blends. It's really important to consider that this is not a new colour to hit the runway. It had it's moment back in 2015, 2017, and then more recently this year in 2019, and it looks like it's here to stay for next year. 

Although after some more research, it looks like their might be some more to the obsession with the hue. 

2020 and beyond will all be about soft colours with earthy and dreamy undertones. Sign up to our mailing list for more updates like this one, or follow us on Pinterest.  

The Images from the CHANEL Spring 19 Ready To Wear Collection prove that a dusty pastel palette is prominent this season with only one print story, Beach Umbrellas. This collection the key colours are soft, dusty gelato tones, swaying slightly more towards pinks and purples than blues and greens. We can see that Chanel know the warmer months this season will be about channeling vintage Palm Springs vibes, think levels of Slim Aarons captured glamour. 

PRINT STORY: BEACH UMBRELLAS 
I personally like how at a micro scale the Beach Umbrellas in repeat look like a geometric print, and only when you look closer you realise what you are looking at. The umbrellas allude to the poolside glamour that you would expect from a resort or cruise collection, yet, here we are looking at Ready To Wear. I think it is clear that Chanel are aware that beach and poolside vibes are not just for holidays in a 2019 world, many people are living this lifestyle all year long. 

I am excited to see this colour palette have it's moment on core pieces and also extend into mini geometrics for print, as brands begin to channel this look coming into late 2019. 

​Britt x

The latest Fall Couture 18' Catwalk show proved that prints are few and far between for this season. The only print story that was strong for Fall Couture was this Tribal Lines Trend. Brands from Fendi, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Azzaro all are very clearly breathing the same air. Not only is the print direction strong, the colours are alike too. 

We can see that all patterns have tribal and geometric line work elements, with three or five key colours. 

The full Fall Couture 18' Colour Report can be accessed here. In the report you are able to see the colour stories that compliment and back up the above print story. 

​Britt x