Deep, rich earthtones, especially browns, accented with bright oranges, greens and yellows dominate fall and winter fashions this year.  The combination of neutral and bright colors will continue in spring and summer fashions during 2008. These fashions will also feature a natural floral theme. Prints that include a wide range of florals mixed with other botanicals, often tropical or exotic, will be prominent in fashion this spring and summer. Pale, softer or "neutralized pastels are combined this season with brighter, unexpected colors. Designers are accomplishing this effect by combining practical fabrics like cottons with more elegant, shiny fabrics like silks and satins. To heighten unusual contrasts, designers also are mixing fabrics and prints from China, Japan, India and Carribean and Pacific Islands that feature exotic tropical tones with faded neutral colors or soft pastels.

     Designers are using a range of herbal colors, especially paler, more subtle pastels described as "softly colored neutralized pastels." Neutral colors includea greater range of grays and beiges.  The brighter colors that come into play are darker spring colors such as fuschia and yellow. Color trends are also related to different style catagories in fashion.

 With regard to more elegant or chic styles for spring and summer 2008, water and earth tones, particularly ocean blues, grays and browns that are found in northern seascapes, are popular among designers. The blue tones vary from very deep marine blues to very bright and shiny shades. More classic fashions are being designed using warm, tropical colors, which is not surprising given this season's tropical theme.  The dominant tones of this color palette are also drawn heavily from sunset colors. 

Shades of greens and browns taken from plant life provide high contrast when combined with floral colors. Casual wear will feature heavier, denser earth tones derived from the colors of tropical plants and roots found in more primitive settings.  Wild combinations of natural shades found in plants, leaves and woods also will be used extensively in casual clothing. 

     Each season Pantone, Inc., a company devoted to providing professional color standards for the design industry, issues a color report for future seasons in fashion.  The report includes the top ten colors for a specific fashion season.  The top ten colors for spring and summer fashions in 2008 presented in the Pantone report are listed below according to the color catagories discussed above.

Neutrals:provide the basic background for pastel and/or bright colors.

     golden olive - earthy, medium, yellow/green

     criossant - deep beige

     silver gray - pale silver tone or pale gray tone

Brights: provide key splashes of color for contrast with neutrals and pastel accents.

     spring crocus - medium violet

     freesia - bright deep yellow

     rococco red - deep fuschia

     snorkel blue - medium Caribbean blue - a key color that replaces navy this season. 

Soft Pastels: provide accent colors for both neutrals and brights that soften the high contrast between neutrals and brights.

     cantalope - pale, dusty peach

     daiquiri - pale lime green

     pink mist - pale pink violet

What Are The Popular Necklines In Spring-Summer 2008 Fashions?

     At Le Chat Noir we also pay close attention to trends in the necklines incorporated in tops and dresses as they influence the popularity of certain jewelry styles.  We take this information into consideration so that we can create pieces that will complement current fashions and reflect popular jewelry styles. The necklines listed below are those that are the most popular for 2008.

Turtleneck: This is the highest neckline and covers the entire neck.  Current layered looks  combine this neckline with scoop and v-neck styles.  The new "high wrap" nacklines are a variation of the turtleneck.

Jewel: This neckline is circular and falls close to the base of the neck.  It is the neckline featured in tee-shirts.

Scoop: This neckline is a U shaped upward curve with the arms of the U passing over the shoulders. Scoop necklines can be very modest or revealing depending upon the depth of the U.  Currently scoop necklines ranging from modest to plunging are all popular.

V-Neck: This neckline combines two diagonal lines that begin at the shoulder and meet at the middle of the chest. The depth of the V determines whether this neckline is modest or plunging.  This neckline is currently very fashionable and is formed in wrap tops or wrap dresses that are also very popular.

Do You Have Trouble Deciding Which Necklace Style Best Suits Your Top Or Dress?

     Necklace styles are based, in part, on the length of the piece. Length is a very important attribute of any necklace because it deterines the necklines with which the necklace can be worn.  Below are the most common necklace styles and lengths (listed in parentheses).  These lengths are gauged for an average sized woman.  We often add an inch or two to these standard lengths in some of our designs to accommodate customers who may need pieces that are a bit longer than average.

Collar (13"): This style usually falls right along a jewel neckline.  It can be worn with scoop, V-neck or strapless styles.

Choker (14-16"): This style can be worn with scoop or V-neck necklines.  A longer length is necessary when this style is to be worn over a turtleneck. Y style chokers (those that have a drop in the front) also work well with scoop or V-neck necklines.

Princess (18"):  This is a very versatile style. It works well with all types of scoop necks and V-necks. Y style pricess necklaces are very complementary to plunging V-necks and scoops. This style also works very well with turtlenecks.

Matinee (20-24"): This style works wellwith a jewel or more modest scoop neckline.

Opera (23-26"): This style suits a jewel, scoop square or boat neckline.

Most of our necklaces range from choker length to matinee length.  We have a great selection of princess and princess Y necklaces,like the necklace in the picture above, that are a wonderful complement for this year's popular V-neck necklines.

What Are The Most Popular Gemstones And Jewelry Styles For Spring-Summer 2008?

     We at Le Chat Noir don't think you'll be that surprised by the trends for spring and summer jewelry in 2008 because they mirror those we have reported for fashion in general.  When it comes to color expect interesting and bold color combinations.  Colors in semi-precious gemstones in 2008 will be vibrant, vivid and luminous.  Bright colors will be found in cabochons and briolettes and in every style of jewelry.  The advice on the street is to build more color into your jewelry collection.

     Many varieties of quartz have become very popular recently because they they have brilliant colors. Other semi-precious gemstones that are increasingly popular include various types of topaz, red and green garnets and tourmaline.  Smokey quartz is very fashionable as a complement for earth tones in clothing.  Citrine, amber and various colors of jade are also growing in popularity as is chalcedony.  For more sophisticated evening looks, black on black is extremely fashionable.  The black jewelry designed for such looks incorporates black diamonds, black crystals, onyx and oxidized silver.

What Precious Metals Are Popular In Spring-Summer 2008 Jewelry

         As gold becomes more expensive, sterling silver (our favorite metal followed closely by copper) is becoming the most sought after alternative. In fact, oxidized silver, copper and brass also are increasing in value and use.  All of these metals are especially fashionable when hammered or when they feature metal mesh and interwoven effects.  Precious metal filigree is returning to jewelry styles as well.

What Images Or Icons Are Popular In Jewelry In 2008

     The influence of Art Nouveau is very apparent in the images featured in the Spring/Summer 2008 jewelry. Hearts, butterflies, dragonflies, owls, ladybugs, bees, lizards, snowflakes and bows are all very popular now. Hearts are a must in your jewelry collection this year.  Designers are now fashioning multi-colored combinations of gemstones into flowers, leaves and insects.

    

As styles go, elegant chokers and Y necklaces with matching earrings are very fashionable this year, especially with evening wear.  These styles made in colored or clear crystals are very popular. Cyrstal bracelets are also increasing in popularity.  Large pendants are also in v0gue as are larger and longer earrings for formal wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Commitment To Our Customers

High Quality Products and Services

At Le Chat Noir we are dedicated to putting the same care and attention to design and detail that we put into the handcrafted jewelry that we make for ourselves into the collection that we offer for sale to you.

At Discount Prices

Our highest priority is bringing you our jewelry and services at affordable prices.  We have eliminated the customary retail mark-up and offer free or reduced shipping for many orders and further price discounts for our return customers.

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AMB Black Cat, LLC

289 Huckleberry Ridge Road NE
Floyd, Virginia  24091

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