Welcome to the new year! I'm so excited to be writing my new column which is an extension of my role on Fashion Police as the resident fashion expert (and loud laugher!)
Here, I will cover a wide range of topics all geared towards helping you find your inner chic.
The good news in 2013 is that fashion is now available anywhere at every price point so it's easy to recreate your favorite runway looks without breaking the bank.
The better news is that designers are wise to this so they're pulling out all the stops to create wonderfully imaginative and elaborate collections.
Translation: it will be difficult for fast fashion stores to replicate, but it will create a need for consumers to be that much more creative and resourceful. Game on, fashion friends!
Without further ado, here are a few of the runway trends I'm looking forward to seeing in 2013:
Global Glamour: Our world is getting smaller and smaller which is both good and bad. There was something wonderful about traveling to a farway land and only being able to get that one fragrance in Paris, or that one designer only available in Milan.
We could bring back our treasures and show them off knowing no one else had them. While I welcome the World Wide Web to unify us, I do miss the shopping.
Can you believe that on a recent trip to South Africa I was hard-pressed to find anything I couldn't already get in L.A.!? Even the runways are becoming more global with a smorgasbord of globally-inspired designs.
While the biggest influence was definitely Asian (Prada, Pucci, Etro), we also discovered India with Marchesa, Sicily with Dolce & Gabbana; South America with Temperley London (ikat prints); Spain with Ralph Lauren and European inspiration from Mary Katrantzou and her unique prints derived from blown-up vintage postage stamps.
Featherweight Leather: I always find it refreshing when trends last more than one season in an age where trends are coming and going at breakneck speed; so I was really happy to see so much leather on the spring runways.
Since spring is usually so feminine and floral, I think designers wanted to get away from the obvious and show hardcore looks. What better way to give a girl some edge than with some softcore leather?
The leathers for spring came with treatments that were perforated, laser cut, latticed and laced all giving them the featherweight quality that is best for warmer months. Designers include Ferragamo, Derek Lam, Balmain, Celine, Jason Wu, Saint Laurent, Monique Lhuillier, Proenza, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Loewe, Marni, Mugler and Miu Miu.
Fluidity and Flounce: Doesn't spring bring out the romantic side of everyone? It sure seemed that way with the amount of flounce, ruffles, peplums and frills seen at Balenciaga, Givenchy, Gucci, Marni, Dior, Dries van Noten, Chloe, Burberry, Peter Pilotto, Altuzarra, Isabel Marant, Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, Ralph Lauren and more this season.
But we're aren't talking granny frills here. Flounce was seen across the body, along bare backs, extreme at necklines, at the waist and up thigh-high slits. The look is over-the-top and excessive which is anything but matronly. Whew!
Hot Shades: Next season the most popular hues will be as hot as the sun in varying degrees of yellow, orange and red. If you think you can't wear these hot hues, think again!
Sure, yellow and orange aren't the easiest colors to pull off, but there is definitely one shade of red that will work for you! Here's how you can tell if a color works on you: wear it and all day long and if you get compliments from randoms, then you're set. It's as easy as that!
Red was a hit at Michael Kors, Dior, Proenza, Valentino and The Row; while orange sizzled at Diane von Furstenberg, Reed Krakoff, Carolina Herrera and Stella McCartney. Yellow shined brightly at Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Fendi.
Black and White: Trends are never entirely in or out, hot or cold or totally yes or no. But they are most definitely black and white this spring!
This was the most dominant trend on the runways as seen at Givenchy, Proenza, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Louis Vuitton, Narciso Rodriguez, Stella McCartney, Chanel, Jason Wu, Jill Sander, Alexander Wang, Celine, Chanel, Valentino, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Giles, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Roland Mouret, Ralph Lauren and Diane von Furstenberg.
The black and white trend is like a gateway for people to try more extreme fashions since it's much easier to wear a wild print, graphic design or bold stripe when it's done without any color.
Have a style question for George? Leave them in the comments below or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @GeorgeKotsi.
And be sure to tune into Fashion Face-Off: 2013 Celebrity Style Special tonight, Friday, Jan. 4, at 10 p.m.