Pattern Play
Rev up your frame assortment with accents of playful prints and bold doses of color
By Marcy Bruch
Photography by Bill Diodato
Stylist: Alice Bertay
Hair: Michelle Ceglia, iGroup
Makeup: Mary Schook, Illuminaré at iGroup
Models: Nina Zuckerman, Lisa Pomares for ID Models

Stripe Tease: Calvin Klein style 768S for Marchon. Earring: Toujours Loi

It's that time of year again--time to punch up your frame boards for spring. One of the most effective ways of doing that is to add new frames with hints of prints and bold infusions of color. Eyewear designers have looked to the runways and culled fresh patterns, color, and design motifs so consumers clearly get that this is what's most fashion-forward in frames. That said, here are some of the trends.

Stripes, polka dots, and plaids. These patterns have set the fashion world on fire this spring. And while an entire frame bedecked in plaid or polka dots may be overwhelming to most eyewear consumers, adding the print as an accent to the brow bar, on the underside of the frame, or the temple, adds a spark of interest with mass appeal.

Inspired by nature. Manufacturers are also incorporating patterns into frames by mimicking the natural beauty of horn and even gems and semi-precious stones. Keep your eye out for frames that look as though they've been carved out of ivory, or for styles with chunky, iridescent pieces reminiscent of opals, and frames with variegated green stripes that nod to semi-precious malachite.

The It colors. Of course, every season has its key colors. Unquestionably, the hottest color for this spring is pink. It doesn't matter whether it is deep fuchsia, carnation, or pale cotton candy--add a few pink styles to your frame boards, and that alone will help give your space an instant update.

Other important colors include the entire family of green hues--from lime to turquoise--as well as sorbet oranges and yellows. As you begin buying your frames for this season, just think patterns, prints, and a dash of pink.

Pretty in Pink: Christian Roth style CR14232 for CXD (Charmant Exclusive Division). Dress: Burberry; hat: Hermes; shoes: Chanel; bag: Iomo; necklace: Toujours Loi

Starburst Orange:
l.a. Eyeworks style Chavo 925

Plush Plaids:
Burberry style B8983/SL for Sàfilo. Earrings: Toujours Loi; jacket: Dolce & Gabbana

Mad for Malachite:
Kisura style KS-508 for Mitani. Dress: Saks 5th Avenue; earring: Toujours Loi

Retro rocks:
Lafont style Lolita