RAFFIA

|| WE’VE GOT A FEW PIPING HOT SUMMER fashion trends for you this week including seeing raffia everywhere. Whether you are a boutique owner trying to keep up on the latest trends or simply a fashion girly keeping your eye on what is to come, this summer trend is a fun one!

Traditionally, Summer seasons bring back the same few classics every year; summer whites, rope details, and nautical stripes, and straw elements. This year, the straw textile derived from palm trees, raffia, is literally everywhere.

Plan to see it in casual footwear, funky statement accessories, even in garments - my personal favorite- this year. Although a bit impractical for longevity in what we in the fashion world like to call ‘the capsule wardrobe’ , I see this being a huge player in brunch wear, vacation outfits & even warm weather event wear.

I’m prepared to see an influencer surge sporting raffia pieces during their inevitable euro summer trips

& vacations abroad, as well as the trickle down effect in the states.

What this means for buyers & boutique owners: Try it before the masses catch on! This is how trends work, in business you want to be first, not last. Take the risk with your discretionary inventory budget & use accurate trend predictions and sprinkle in on in to your summer summer collections. Promote those pieces with your creative content and watch what happens!

What to look for as a fashion girly: Casual raffia buckle slides, warm weather sandals, unique bags and purses, corset tops, cropped tanks, cute vacation sets.

It’s my personal mission to keep you babes ahead of the trend curves this year. Have fun with it and if you’re on the business side of this I’d love to hear if you try it.

|| TRUDY CAIRO | CREATIVE DIRECTOR