A matter of principles
For Principles brand director Liz Houghton, individuality - and not being a slave to trends - is what makes a woman stylish
That black is back is almost a cliché. Black has always been with us, mostly due to its friendly and accommodating nature that makes any silhouette look sleeker, rounding off unsolicited bulges, shrouding the woman who wears it in an aura of elegance and mystery. How could black ever be out? It is women's best friend.
Keeping with this all-time trend, black is strong in the next Principles collection, according to brand director Liz Houghton. Not that Principles - a leader in women's quality clothing and accessories in the UK with branches around the world - is obsessed with trends.
"Following a trend religiously and being a slave to it is not what makes a woman stylish; a sense of self-knowing the stuff that suits her does," says Ms Houghton. "It is essential to interpret the trends to suit your individual style, rather than wearing trends that do not necessarily suit your shape."
Principles' affordable collections are created on the understanding that real women come in different shapes and sizes. Seasonal trends are integrated and translated into almost custom-made pieces, flexible and adaptable to meet the functional demands of a busy woman alongside the desire to feel feminine and contemporary.
"We like to make fashion enjoyable for the women who wear us, making them feel sexy and sophisticated," says Ms Houghton. "Our creations are motivated by the catwalk and by the search for solutions to real women's wardrobe dilemmas. We do this with a unique hand-writing, based on a consistent commitment to quality, value and a detailed level of design.
"Principles being a one-stop shop, catering clothes, accessories and footwear, helps us cover all the elements of a 'time-short' woman's lifestyle - from doing the school run, to lunch with the girls, to a fabulous party or night at the theatre."
At Principles, the next season sees a return to smart tailoring on the more formal side with a bias to black with strong colour highlights of tangerine, coral, cobalt, fuchsia and violet. Silhouettes are 1980s-inspired, with the waist being the key. Sixties-inspired trapeze coats are also key numbers in the upcoming collection. Casual wear takes a 1970s vibe, with maxi skirts, retro print tunics and waistcoat layering.
"Trends are combined with inspiration drawn from research trips," says Ms Houghton. "New embellishment techniques from India and colour palettes inspired by landscapes of China give the new collection a unique twist.
"This season is also about maxi dressing with a strong emphasis on statement accessories: Fab jewellery pieces, a killer heel and a glamorously big slouchy leather bag. Accessorising personalises the look.
"I think women need to feel confident about the way they look to feel good. This means wearing clothes that flatter their figures and also being well-groomed. So much is our conviction in this that Principles creations include a specially-designed petite collection for women who are 5'3" and under.
The secret to the success of the Principles petite range is that when we created it we knew it was more than shorter arm and leg lengths, but tailoring a collection to fit."
And the key items a woman can certainly not do without?
"A great trouser - wide-leg, high pant; a shift dress and, of course, a statement coat."
Keeping with this all-time trend, black is strong in the next Principles collection, according to brand director Liz Houghton. Not that Principles - a leader in women's quality clothing and accessories in the UK with branches around the world - is obsessed with trends.
"Following a trend religiously and being a slave to it is not what makes a woman stylish; a sense of self-knowing the stuff that suits her does," says Ms Houghton. "It is essential to interpret the trends to suit your individual style, rather than wearing trends that do not necessarily suit your shape."
Principles' affordable collections are created on the understanding that real women come in different shapes and sizes. Seasonal trends are integrated and translated into almost custom-made pieces, flexible and adaptable to meet the functional demands of a busy woman alongside the desire to feel feminine and contemporary.
"We like to make fashion enjoyable for the women who wear us, making them feel sexy and sophisticated," says Ms Houghton. "Our creations are motivated by the catwalk and by the search for solutions to real women's wardrobe dilemmas. We do this with a unique hand-writing, based on a consistent commitment to quality, value and a detailed level of design.
"Principles being a one-stop shop, catering clothes, accessories and footwear, helps us cover all the elements of a 'time-short' woman's lifestyle - from doing the school run, to lunch with the girls, to a fabulous party or night at the theatre."
At Principles, the next season sees a return to smart tailoring on the more formal side with a bias to black with strong colour highlights of tangerine, coral, cobalt, fuchsia and violet. Silhouettes are 1980s-inspired, with the waist being the key. Sixties-inspired trapeze coats are also key numbers in the upcoming collection. Casual wear takes a 1970s vibe, with maxi skirts, retro print tunics and waistcoat layering.
"Trends are combined with inspiration drawn from research trips," says Ms Houghton. "New embellishment techniques from India and colour palettes inspired by landscapes of China give the new collection a unique twist.
"This season is also about maxi dressing with a strong emphasis on statement accessories: Fab jewellery pieces, a killer heel and a glamorously big slouchy leather bag. Accessorising personalises the look.
"I think women need to feel confident about the way they look to feel good. This means wearing clothes that flatter their figures and also being well-groomed. So much is our conviction in this that Principles creations include a specially-designed petite collection for women who are 5'3" and under.
The secret to the success of the Principles petite range is that when we created it we knew it was more than shorter arm and leg lengths, but tailoring a collection to fit."
And the key items a woman can certainly not do without?
"A great trouser - wide-leg, high pant; a shift dress and, of course, a statement coat."