Perhaps Spring 2002 for stylists is the most important one of the last 30 years: everyone in the fashion business is waiting for the consumers to start buying again after the crisis that followed the events of September 11th. In other words fashion designers are trying to spread all over the world not only beauty symbols but also signs of peace and understanding.

Fashion and peace
New fashion values are influencing the styles of this season; Dior, has decided to do his personal cry for peace creating a gown with the images of all the world's flag on it; many designers' have instead decided to litterally "remove borders" creating collections that are inspired to various ethnic and religious traditions: from dresses that remind of indian sarhis, to gypsy-inspired skirts and chinese style shirts.

A touch of "Boho"
Boho is definetly the latest trend in fashion and life-style for both men and women: since peace is the element that has inspired designers for Spring collections, some of them have chosen to take the 70's peace movements as their main inspiration, and we've recently seen on the catwalks creations that remind of hippies' clothes.

But what exactly is "boho?" It's all about mixing bohemian and hippie chic styles together, with a very sophisticated vintage touch. This kind of style include, for women: long folk skirts and boot-cut jeans, striped pants, loose embroidered shirts and, of course, ethnic jewelry and wide belts (the latest are definetly a must for everyone who wants to be trendy); men will wear large comfortable trousers and coloured shirts, decorated with stripes or even graphic patterns.
Many designers have also proposed for both men and women, clothes made of layers of different kinds of fabric, trying to get a "patchwork" or "handmade" effect as well for clothes and bags or hats.
Sometimes "hippie" is even mixed with "gypsie" inspired garnments (that's what's called "gippy"): Spanish styled ruffled skirts with shirts and tops made of lace and floaty fabrics are the main elements of the gippy look.

A ray of light
Trying to forget the darkness of the past season, almost all fashion designers have recently proposed garnments and accessories in very light colours: not only various shades of white, but also beige, kakhi and pale yellow; a neutral palette that brings litterally a ray of light in the wardrobe of both men and women.
Not only dresses, pantsuits and shoes, but also every kind of men and women accessory will follow this trend.

For women,these romantic colours pair with ultra-feminine clothes: soft embroidered drapey fabrics as well as large blouses with lace-up fronts and sleeves will be the main element for this look. Victorian tops and corsets worn on chiffon flowered skirts will be hip too this Fall.
Concerning women's make-up: light skin coulours and light shades of pink and violet for lipsticks and eye-blushes will be a must, for a very natural and romantic look.

Flower Power
Flowers will also be obviolusly the choices of many designers: this spring we'll see them simplified on patterned textile or embroidered as a decoration on shirts an tops.
John Galliano and Roberto Cavalli, for exemple, have decorated their dresses, made in light and fresh textiles, with large flowers inspired by classic tapestry motives; Miu Miu, Max & Co. And Julia Watanabe have decided to put romantic flowers on their shirts and trousers, while ethnic-inspired embroidered flowers can be seen on Vuitton's and Byblos' garnments.
Moreover flowers will be a must on every of accessories: from Cacharel's cloche hats and handbags to Miu Miu's and Max Mara's shoes, we'll be litterally wearing flowers from head to toes.