Spotlight on Moda
WWB profiles some of the best womenswear brands heading for Moda this season

February 2012.

By Isabella Griffiths

Images, from left to right: Apanage, Passport, Urban Code, Steillman, Kapalua, Pause Cafe, Joules, Hauber, Sahara, Strawberry Bay

This season’s Moda will showcase some of the finest names in contemporary and mainstream womenswear. The show takes place from February 19 to 21, 2012, at the NEC, Birmingham. Here are some of the brands making an appearance this season.

Apanage

Relaxed looks dominate at Apanage. Perfectly styled blazers are given a new take, while suits and suit trousers come in new materials and varieties. Tops and bottoms in the same fabrics create one-piece effects. Orangey red, petrol and purple are mixed with neutrals like powder, camel and black.

Passport

Making its debut at Moda, Passport’s collection has been streamlined and restructured for a/w 12. The new focus has created a stronger collection, which offers a still diverse selection of knits and separates in a contemporary style. Fur, tweeds, leather and jersey form the backdrop for a 60s inspired collection which offers sporty elegance with a touch of luxury.

Urbancode

New to the show, Urbancode offers a play on its directional leather staples as well as silk print separates. The brand’s ‘Flame’ leather jacket is one of the predicted bestsellers, as is asymmetric knitwear and faux fur coats.  The collection is complemented by a vast array of accessories, including snoods, collards and signature handbags.

Steilmann

Steilmann’s collection is particularly versatile this season and centres around chino-style slim-leg trousers, long tunics and long knits layered with soft gilets as the key styles. Rosewood is a highlight colour, along with taupe and stone, creating a fresh but cosy story. The brand has also launched an extensive NOS package on its core trousers and cashmere outerwear.

Kapalua

At Kapalua, colour is key and is centred around blue, rust, gold and red tones as well as elements of colour blocking. Cropped jackets with sporty zippers and snake or animal skin appliqués offer an original twist, while coloured trousers are eye-catching and fresh.

Pause Café

Pause Café offers a distinctive handwriting and wearable statement pieces that are bold without being over the top. Colourful coats and jackets with faux fur are key items in the collection, while dresses with embellishments that flatter the female form also feature heavily.

Joules

Outerwear is taking centre stage in the collection this season and has been heavily expanded following the success of this product group for a/w 11. In the main collection the brand stays true to its country heritage roots with floral dresses and tunics among the key items. Soft pastels, washed navy and frosted pink sit alongside jewel shades in deep purple, rich reds, teal and royal green.

Hauber

Chic modern classics can be found at Hauber, which is making its second appearance at Moda this season. Soft luxury is a key trend, evident through the use of textured tweeds with a luxury heritage feel and soft yarns. Warm autumnal colours feature heavily, ranging from orange russet through gold to deep plums.

Sahara

Sahara offers ethically responsible clothing and an individual look, fusing Eastern handcraft techniques with Western styling. Natural fibres, intricate textural jacquards, wools, linens and georgettes create a fluidity of layered separates, which are highlighted by a versatile colour palette.

Strawberry Bay

A new launch from the house of Emreco, Strawberry Bay is a lifestyle brand taking inspiration from country and nautical life. Statement sweatshirts or ditsy print tea dresses are layered with padded jackets, while Macs also form functional staples in the collection. Colour is key, with highlights including currant, navy, porcelain, wisteria and haze, while contrast trims add a quirky twist.

:: For further information please click here.