Natural Style

Florida embellishments and retro-glam fabrications -- the way of bling -- are put to rest in favor of materials and hues celebrating nature and handcrafts for spring 2006.

"It's femininity at its finest, not working it too much, not trying too hard. There's a strength in modesty of fashion now," says Jamie Rivers, owner of Sugar Boutique in Lawrenceville.

As shown by softened details, such as delicate wooden beading and burnished, antiqued diamante adorning Miuccia Prada's evening gowns or the pervasive monochromatic neutral palettes, designers and labels make a strong transition from seasons past.

"At this point in fashion we're moving away from the bright color palettes and the dressy fabrics to things with a more natural feeling to them," says Heather Hannan, regional manager of special events, public relations and community affairs for Macy's.

Rustic-looking embellished pieces and tailored neutrals infuse collections. Crochet, eyelet, embroidery, shell and wooden beading, buttons and grommets replace sequins, crystals, and rhinestones trimming clothing and accessories.

Whether a sleek white suit accessorized with a conch shell necklace and wedges trimmed with raffia or a beaded linen empire-waist dress, spring's fashion direction exudes natural beauty.

"It's easier to wear -- especially in daytime. People showed reluctance to wear all that sparkle during the day even though it was trendy," Hannan says.

"Where you do have elements of shine, they're much different than they were two years ago. It might be just a metallic or Lurex thread running through a fabric as opposed to overwhelming glittery clusters," says Lisa Michaels, buyer and co-owner of Larrimor's, Downtown.

This season's metalicized linen blouses and dresses are balanced in neutral shades, such as putty or dove gray, with gold, platinum and silver casts, creating elegant shimmer for day or evening.

"Even for evening, it's a little bit more subdued. The things that were really shiny aren't looking right this season," says E.B. Pepper, owner of e.b. Pepper in Shadyside.

Cotton and linen blouses, "goddess" or sheath dresses abound at e.b. Pepper with a variety of decoration, including floral embroidery, crochet, and beading.

Selections from the Nikka of New York label's spring collection are found at e.b. Pepper, with separates illustrating designer Kanika Saluja's inspiration from her native India.

At Macy's, cotton twill Bermudas and cargo capris in browns, khaki green, and white are shown with white and orange camisoles accented with crochet from INC International Concepts.

Fresh jewelry designs at local boutiques provide a lovely way to invent looks with pieces made from riches of the earth.

Designs by Cheryl Dufault at Sugar Boutique in Lawrenceville combine chain mail and crystal in dichotomous ways. A necklace by Dufault of multifaceted translucent strawberry quartz and oxidized chain mail is stunning with its contrasting surfaces and coppery tones.

Designs by New York jewelry designer Alexis Bittard are found at Larrimor's, including resin bangles and gold hoop and drop earrings in delicate branch forms.

This month, Hip'tique Decor in Shadyside launched its line by Los Angeles based Deity Jewels, designed by Pittsburgh native Ellen Sue Ballon. Inspired in part by Tiffany art glass and American Indian weaving, Ballon makes pieces using semi-precious stones and metals that she braids onto silk cord.

"The macrame that she does in between every single stone ... really sets off the detail of the stones," says Christine Berardi, owner of Hip'tique Decor. "Each stone is so beautiful on its own that I hate to change that," Ballon says.

Pulling it together

Fashionable earth goddesses need not attend a moon festival to wear spring's nature-inspired styles, thanks to some tips from our fashion experts: