STYLE MOUNTAIN

In front of the Ajax mountains, for the 4th year in a row, the increasingly popular Aspen Fashion Week previewed the best and the most fashionable of winter sportswear and apres-skiwear for the upcoming 2012/2013 season. AFW occupied four days in the March calendar, kicking off with Ted Davenport's James Bond style entrance, the dare devil athlete and Aspen local sky dived from 3,000 feet, deploying the Bentley-branded parachute as the guests watched in awe. Then the excitement began with the Runway shows, Skea opened with colour-blocking brights, fur and puffer jackets...which seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the runway shows. It was certainly a fun filled week with dancing on and off the runway!

So here's the low down on the trends that you'll be wearing next season:

 1. ADD A LITTLE COLOUR TO LIFE

Designers dipped into their crayola box, grabbing the brightest colours. KJUS even dyed the down in their puffer jackets and had the outside fabric transparent, but of course it's still very much waterproof  thanks to their newly developed technology! With this trend, the brighter the better, mix & match..but mainly mix or you could awkwardly end up looking like a children's TV presenter...

Marmot

SKEA

KJUS super waterproof dyed down jackets

2. PRINT

Not your usual prints for winter sportswear, with plaid being the most popular print on the runway. My personal favourite being Authier's skull and crossbones print, nobody will be messing with you in that jacket! This is definitely one for matching and not mixing. Perhaps designers are taking inspiration from the international runways exploding with complex prints...

Authier's floral print

Authier's punk print

Authier

3. HARD METAL

So people are finally able to splash out a bit on more luxurious items and what better way to get the luxe look than wearing the colour of precious metals. A lot of silver, pewter as well as midnight blue and jet blacks. This is the trend you'll be following for that touch of elegance.

SKEA Metallics

Obermeyer

Oh crap thats Kanye West wanting his jacket back...

   4. SHEARLING, FUR AND LOG FIRES

Whether its real or faux, this trend is still going strong and thank goodness for that! Not only is it warm and cosy but it gives you that true ski bunny aesthetic and has that high fashion appeal. Make sure you've got that fur or faux fur trim.

"It's where I keep all my things. Get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it's not a purse, it's called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one."

I think this is appropriate in regards to this wonderfully furry hat...IT'S SO FLUFFY!

  5. VINTAGE DARLING

When it comes to ski and snowboard wear we always look to the future with new fabric technology and all that jazz...but there's just no denying theses cosy little jumpers jumping back to the Alpine roots. Wouldn't mind get my hands on the vintage ski poster inspired Neve sweaters, preferably coming with the St Bernard.

Clearly Somebody was a little overexcited about the prospect of getting to wear vintage inspired knit next season...

SIA Collection

Bernard was lapping up the limelight..

6. THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT..

Long winter coats for those long winter days, when you put on those Topshop leggings instead of your thermals by mistake...but luckily you have your long coat to keep your legs warm! A much needed item for the dead of winter, especially if you're in Canada, look to the Canadian brand Pajar to know how to keep you warm.

PAJAR..Canadians do it best

SIA Collection

Best friends forever!....Bitch please

7. THE LITTLE DETAILS

Large, contrasting zips appeared on every jacket, just to make you look that extra bit tougher than you actually are when shivering away beneath those clever layers. Combine these chunky 'look at me' zips with the metallic or skull & crossbones print jackets and you my friend are well on your way to being the Sid Vicious of the slopes...

She didn't realise she had the jacket on backwards..

KJUS

If Avril Lavigne skied..

8. IN A PUFF

It was puffer galore on the Aspen runway, from the traditional horizontal quilted puffers to the diamond Chanel-esque quilted beauties. I'm still determined to acquire a Moncler as they are, after all the ultimate puffer jacket, but for now there are many similar styles that will just have to do!

SKEA doing so many trends in one

The michelin man never looked so good

Authier's diamond quilted puffer gilet was a lovely touch

And finally last, but certainly not least

  9. THE ASPEN STREET WALKER..

Who let this girl out? Obviously somebody backstage was taking the piss..I dare say she may find herself outcast and a little chilly running around like this. For the love of god please do not even think about trying this at home and certainly not anywhere you will be seen, you might damage yourself or someone else for that matter.

THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY A TREND BUT SOMETHING ANY SELF RESPECTING HUMAN BEING SHOULD NEVER EVER TRY TO IMITATE!

I do not own any of the photo's in this post