Lanvin -

Christian Lacroix

Celine

Chanel

Louis Vuitton

Marni

Gucci

Oscar de la Renta

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

Marc Jacobs

Ralph Lauren

Christian Dior

Dries Van Noten 

This year, purple in every shade – from lavender to plum to violet to magenta – is crowding the runways and giving us some much needed bursts of color in outfits and jewelry. Even President Obama claims that purple is his favorite hue.

Traditionally, the color purple was associated with royalty and nobility. Today, it is favored among designers in the fashion community, and worn by celebrities and A-listers like Victoria Beckham and Charlize Theron. Purple jewelry can easily transform your look for Spring and create a stunning statement. Here are some suggestions for working this trend in to your look:

Amethyst – These gorgeous gems make great eye-catching jewelry when set in sterling silver. The lightness of the metal makes a great contrast to the deepness of this shade. Take a cue from Brooke Shields and Christina Applegate and wear bold pieces like cocktail rings and drop earrings to accent baby blue or bright pink apparel. Just a splash of this exotic color is sure to make for a memorable look.

Tanzanite – This breathtaking gemstone is most commonly lavender in color. Try a fabulous pair of chandelier earrings or a couple tennis bracelets to accent an all black ensemble. The light and dark pairing is elegant, yet still contemporary.

Beads – The fun thing about purple beads is that they are an inexpensive way to dress up current favorites. Chunky plastic or glass beaded necklaces are especially hot right now, and can easily take you from day to night. Throw in a matching pair of earrings for an affordable and stylish jewelry set. Also, feel free to mix purple beaded bracelets with other bangles or beads. Complimentary colors like red and turquoise are amazing together and give off a youthful vibe.

Whatever you’re wearing this spring, make sure that purple is a part of it.

This season on the runway and on the street, we’re seeing a lot of black jewelry that makes an impact and ups the style ante. Black is always a fashion favorite, and we’re seeing that carry over to jewelry, in the form of statement pieces and beaded numbers. Smoky quartz, onyx and black crystal are intriguing and noticeable. There are several ways to wear these pieces, and here, we take a look at some of our favorites:

Rocker style – It’s hard not to conjure up images of rock stars when you think of black jewelry. From their leather studded bracelets to chain link necklaces, these styles are becoming more mainstream. You can incorporate this look into your current wardrobe by pairing contrasting pieces, such as rough-and-tough chain link bracelets with floral prints and breezy fabrics. Or, give a little edge to a satin or silk dress.

To the office – If you love the look of black stones, but you’re not sure how it’ll mesh with your work gear, then think small and subtle. A great pair of drop earrings with dark stones can add a nice touch to a classic suit or sweater. Black pearls or beads are also a nice way to modernize this fashion favorite. Select large stones for a contemporary and up-to-date statement.

Special occasion – Black stones and rhinestones are gorgeous and go great with black cocktail dresses or jewel-toned gowns and create a fun edgy vibe. Try a thick choker with a cameo or other black beaded centerpiece. Black and gold cocktail rings can be just the ticket for spicing up a basic cami and jeans. You don’t need a lot of jewelry to pull off this look; keep it to one piece that’ll get the job done.

Black stoned jewelry is modern and elegant. And this season, there are some noteworthy pieces that are stylish, affordable and easy-to-wear. So the next time you’re getting dolled up, think about adding some dramatic jewelry for a new twist on basic black.

Top Ten trends for Summer 2009

1. DRESSES - Must-haves - Easy A-line 60’s shifts, dynamic Grecian drapery, asymmetric off the one shoulder styles.   New tier volume tulip skirt shapes over straight longer skirts.  Strapless full ethereal fairy prom skirts/dresses.  Maxi dresses. Kimono sleeve dresses that morph into tunics when worn over trousers.

2. STRONG INTEREST IN SHOULDER/SLEEVE -  Sleeves are truly back.  Puff sleeve volume, cap sleeves, 80s batwing draped sleeves.   There also kaftan drape kimono sleeves, arm-warmers and chiffon sleeves.  The length of the sleeves varies, you will see cropped fuller sleeves, full-length tailored sleeves, furthermore they can be pushed or rolled to elbow.  As for the shoulder line, it’s expanding with a softened shoulder line, one shoulder looks and halter collier lines.

3. COLOUR - Vibrant popping electric brights compete with soft sorbet tints.
In the red range popular tones are: blush beige, warm rose, lavender, fuchsia, magenta, rust red and hot shocking pink.   While in the aqua spectrum we have deep cardamom green, citron green, vibrant green, jade aqua, Santorini blue and royal lapis blue.   Monochromes are represented by, slate grey, black, navy, hessian, cream and white.  Last, but not least, are the key colours of, lemon yellows, tangerine, orange and antique gold.

4. GOLDEN GIRLS - Think golden days with yellow, golden buttercup, citrus, lemongrass, burnished bronze and copper and all with metallic shine and the gleam of liquid gold shimmer.

5. EXOTIC TRIBAL - Note Amer-Afro transcontinental tribal references in pattern, print and fabrics.  Navajo rust-red/turquoise/brown beadwork southwest colourations. Fringe on bags, fringed boots, sandals and garments.

Above Left to Right. Spring/Summer 2009 - Ladies & Accessories. Bag Richness, £85/€115 by Dune.
Accessorize Spring/Summer 2009 Sanguine - Patterned Apache Bangle £10 (€17 Eire) Dakota range and Dakota multi Pocahontas Earring £8 (€13.5 Eire) both Accessorize.  NEXT Spring Summer 2009 - Fringe Shoe Boots, £25/€37.

6. WATERCOLOUR PRINTS - Ditzy garden floral print mixes, Ikebana and exotic flora prints in a painterly manner. Animal fashion print materials also worked in non-animal bright colourways.

7. SHEER FABRICS - See through sheer areas create modest cover up looks that add intrigue.

8. RETRO JUMPSUITS - Carrot and peg top trousers versus wide leg jumpsuits.  Jumpsuits as above knee playsuits.

9. TROUSERS - Harem dhoti carrot peg top style trousers with skinny ankles.  Wide leg pants and boot cut jeans.

10. RETRO DENIM - Distressed looks with acid and stonewashing, ripping and fraying. Skinnies, baggies, boot cut, dark denim, pale denim, credit crunch chic of any and every denim style.  Designer prices or recessionista fashion.

11. KNITS - Chunky cable knits in summer yarns, origami knits and extra long front wraps, superfine longer line cardigans as this blue version right at Monsoon Fusion - no price details yet.

12. THE ORNATE JACKET, TROPHY JACKET OR COAT - Sublime fabrics and workmanship; piping, inlay, beading, raised lace, Fortuny pleating, statement making sleeves. Texture and great cut.  

13. GEOMETRY - Circles and origami folds. Drapes and pleats creating new lines and futuristic silhouettes.

14. ACCESSORIES - SHOES - Demanding high teetering taxi heels.  Mixed colours and materials.  Texture on shoes. GLADIATOR STRAP SANDALS - Gladiator Sandals in natural tones or bold colours, as open strappy fronts on shoes and high leg fronts boots. 

15. BAGS - LEATHER, PATENT - Classic bags that shine or non sheen bags dulled with raffia, wood, natural beads. Cornelli, crewel embroidery or blackwork style imagery on bags. Bags smothered in roses.

16. WIDE BELTS -  Embellished buckles on gold embossed snake and lizard ’skin’ belts. 

17.JEWELLERY - Huge necklaces, big costume jewellery, retro and real vintage gem looks, tribal necklaces, stacked cuff bangles, massive cocktail dress rings and luxury pieces.  Right - Dune Costume Jewellery Spring 2009 Collection.  Seek exotic brooches that reference nature.  Near Left - Large wide enamel and diamond dragonfly brooch pique-de-jour style by Nicole Barr in the fashionable citrus green and yellow tones of 2009. 

18. HABERDASHERY ATTACHMENTS - ROSES/ FLOWERS - Flowers in 3D forms on necklaces, as accessories for dress necklines, waistlines and as hair adornment.  Dress hems with roses. Rose print fabrics. BOWS - from small to mammoth adorn garments and bags. Necklaces with tie ribbon closures.

19. NAUTICAL STRIPES - Red, white and blue combinations with a European slant that suits the notion of Saucy Sailor Girls, Breton Babes, Maritime Club Med. Reinvented cruise wear.

20. TAN NO MORE - Live in your own skin whatever ethnicity.  Drop fake tans or whitening options. For summer sunshine days use no more than a barely kissed gradual build sun shimmer look cream. Mahogany and orange glow tans are OUT.