NYFW Spring 2013 runway trends: inkblot prints

Sep 18, 2012
LadyLUX • Fashion

Digital prints and florals have been spotted on the runways for seasons now but for Spring 2013, New York designers gave the staple material a new look. Inkblot prints in moody black and white have emerged as the new must-have pattern. Flowers, abstract patterns and polka dots have been given blurry and smudged appearances in a reference to the Rorschach tests used by early psychologists to uncover latent thoughts in patients. However, in the modern usage at NYFW, the stylish message was clear. The colorless style was used in head-to-toe suits, evening dresses and even bold outerwear as each designer crafted a different and intriguing vision for this concept.

Interior designer turned fashion designer Kelly Wearstler is known for mixing and matching unexpected textures, so it comes as no surprise that she is flaunting inkblot prints for Spring 2013. The innovative motif had several versions, including spotted techniques and brush strokes displayed on short sleeveless minidresses, monochrome pant ensembles, trench coats and blouses.

Unlike Wearstler, Pierre Balmain presented one type of blot pattern. The approach had a more blurred aesthetic that sometimes hinted at florals. It came across as feminine and soft in flouncy skirt and dress silhouettes as well as short sets. Coral or black pieces were injected to break up the continuous print.

Jeremy Laing interpreted the inky style with a sporty objective. His Spring lineup featured elongated and soft boxy proportions that referred to baseball jackets and basketball jerseys but with a material twist. Rorschach-inspired prints replaced panels on button-front baseball jerseys and cropped pants, while vinyl offered a curveball of texture.