Love Clothing: Call of the Wild

The Tribal Look 2012

Spring /summer 2012 one of the key trends this season, which has followed through from the past few seasons, is the AfricanTribal trend. Although it’s nothing we have not seen before, the designers are focusing a lot more on jewelled hues and the vivid prints and patterns.

Geometric designs in a colour palette of desert hues added a tribal element to Proenza Schouler's otherwise nostalgic collection dazzled us into an abstract journey full of modern tribalism. Past September 2011, designers not only took inspiration from Africa, but also found something that could connect & relate with their ethnic concept for spring summer 2012.

Sarah Burton used a touch of tribal across her smart and sober olive green and black jackets in her romantic utility-inspired collection for Alexander McQueen. Brown and black animal print belts cinched the waists, the jackets themselves decorated with over-sized pockets in ethnic patterns, edged with lines of cowry shells, instantly taking the city to the Souks in a bold, yet wearable, way.

Christopher Bailey took Burberry's heritage traditions to Ghana: the bright prints of purple and orange geometrics, sat on speckled blues and greens that featured in his dresses and shirts were inspired by the country's traditional wax print technique. A few feet below, the shoes followed suit; high platform heels were adorned with a few rows of bright beads, like a tribal necklace for the ankle.

With it's continued presence on the high street, as well as on the backs of celebrities like Beyonce, Rihanna and J-Lo, tribal is here to stay, albeit with some refreshing twists if Resort 2012 has anything to do with it. Michael Kors, Thakoon and Missoni all dipped into tribal, too. Lam put Bhutan front and centre with woven belts and embroidered skirts and brought Thailand home with him for a scarf-print halter dress.

But Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci took it all a step further. He gave dazzling florals an ethnic spin, edging the bright red Hawaiian print on a green military-style dress with tribal embroidery and splaying white petal patterns around the top of a fitted black dress like tribal tooth necklace.

Some of our Tribal Looks at Love Clothing...