By Deirdre Carroll: Senior Editor

 
COLOR BLOCKED POSTER
WHO: Diane von Furstenberg’s Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection, Bottega Veneta’s Resort 2012 catwalk and for the truly advanced, Vionnet’s 2012 Resort presentation, in addition to style stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, Solange Knowles and Marge Simpson.

WHAT: Color blocking is creating a look by putting blocks of solid color next to each other. It can include everything from monotone, bright colors and muted colors to contrasting or complimentary colors. It’s a trend that started making a strong showing all the way back in the Spring 2011 runway shows and it has only picked up momentum since. Eyewear designers have caught on and are creating bright, color blocked pieces and solid color pieces that can be mixed and matched with items already in a wearer’s closet.

WEAR: (L-R) The Ray-Ban Rare Prints RB1083 Wayfarer from Luxottica epitomizes the color blocking trend with very Mondrian-esque blocks of color delineated by black lines. The G MB Brady optical style by Gant by Michael Bastian from Viva features a bright jade green acetate front and temples laminated with a thick layer of white and backed by navy. Not only does the frame itself feature blocking but pair this vibrant frame with other pops of color and voila—instant color blocking. The Fendi FS5261 from Marchon adds excitement to an otherwise neutral amber tort with a generous dose of maize yellow brow details. Hot pink and red is one of the most popular pairings we’re seeing in this trend and the Kate Spade New York Angelique sunglass from Safilo puts it front and center on the face. The 4662 optical style from ProDesign Denmark shows that pairing two über saturated colors is the best way to represent this trend thanks to the frames brilliant violet and cobalt blue.

WHY: Perhaps it’s the unseasonably warm weather or the rise in popularity of colored denim, but like most things that fall into this category, Americans have embraced color with a “if a little is good than a lot is better” mentality. For those who have fully accepted the color-blocking trend, adding eyewear is like the cherry on top and for those who are new to it, adding color blocking through an accessory like glasses is the perfect way to ease into it.

dcarroll@jobson.com