Necromance

Trend hunting continues to be one of my favourite pass times. I get a real thrill when I find a connection between two or more elements in fashion and culture at large. A light goes on in my head and I want to dig deeper, sifting through images to find the link between what's happening in the world and what designers are creating. These parallels are rarely a coincidence - creative people are so strongly influenced by each other and everything around them - so it's exhilarating to discover these relationships and showcase them on Bloodhound.

Now that all the many Fashion Weeks have passed, I've spun a real yarn. I've compiled a series of images to tell the creepy tale of what I like to call Necromance - a self-constructed portmanteau of "Necromancy" (magic, especially that practiced by a witch or sorcerer) and "Romance" (a loving spirit, emotion, sentiment or desire.)

This year, the creative fantasts of New York, Milan, Paris and Tokyo conjured up images of witches, wizards and archfiends - a kind of seance for the new season. Who knew that interpretations of sunny spring could be so dark? There seemed to be a lot of black magic going on, casting a spell over runways and eyewitnesses. This trend stirs up eerie visions of the underworld, just in time for Hallow's Eve.

Sorcerer Sleeves

No sorceress is complete without a veiled pair of sleeves floating back from the elbows and drifting into the midnight air. With one lift of their cruel, contracted hands, these succubi could do some serious damage. 

Ann Demeulemeester.

Gareth Pugh.

Ann Demeulemeester.

Fringe added movement to abracadabra sleeves.

Gareth Pugh.

Gareth Pugh.

And speaking of fringe...

The earthy colour palette, beaded necklace and scrappy texture of Saint Laurent's fringed robe adds softness to the prairie mystic - a soothsayer of the West, prophesying the twisting turn of the the seasons.

Saint Laurent.

Colour

Despite the proverbial black of the occult, blood red leaked through in dramatic bursts. 

Gareth Pugh's devilish red queen could be caught in a sadistic game of chess. 

Gareth Pugh.

Saint Laurent's little Red Riding Hood evokes the grimmest of fairy tales.

Saint Laurent.

Pure white commonly suggests innocence and virtue, but some designers took the hue to a new level through cut and styling, creating edgy fallen angels for beautiful, sunny days.

Cushnie et Ochs.

Overzealous shredding of a hooded fang. Angel of death, cool as Tokyo.

Nozomi Ishiguro Tambourine.

Petrified hair makes model Anmari Botha look scared to death.

Theysken's Theory.

Pointed Shoulders

The modern witch might require something more practical for day. Designers found a solution with a peaked cap sleeve. This architectural detail looks less costumey and more refined, adding power to an otherwise simple silhouette.

Cushnie et Ochs.

Lanvin.

Golden Warrior

Atsushi Nakashima.

Phantoms of the Opera

Black evening wear took a playful twist with microdots, belted busts and purple lips from Haider Ackermann. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, would covet her latest weapon - multi-strapped black heels with domineering effects.

Haider Ackermann

A tailored pantsuit from Martin Grant donning a voluminous exaggeration of the peplum. 

Martin Grant.

A black cape must be thrown in for good measure, extending to the floor in flowing sheer chiffon. Wide brimmed hats are perfect for broom travel on hot summer nights. 

Saint Laurent

What would this story be without a little McQueen? Some Enchanted Empress looks otherworldly, menacing and magnificent.

Alexander McQueen

Avant Garde

While the majority of designers played with a few subtle elements, some took the preternatural theme quite literally and stretched it as far as their imaginations would allow. Such is the nature of Alice Auaa's Gothic-Lolita inspired underworld, this year the Japanese house caused a little mischief and unleashed a full-on fashion parade of lost souls.

Why is this raven like a writing desk?

Alice in Zombieland

Hat Madder

Reign It In and Drag It Home. 

Three great looks for bringing necromance into your  life. 

Day Witch

Gianfranco Ferre.

 Working Witch

Martin Grant.

 Weekend Witch

Haider Ackermann.

Hair Tips

Vampiric double parts are easy enough to execute with a flat iron, fine tooth comb and some good holding product. Try straight down the centre or off to the side, but be sure to keep it tight and defined.

Hair from Ann Demeulemeester.

Hair from Gianfranco Ferre.

Hair from Gareth Pugh.

Double tiered buns appear to be a rising updo craze. They are accomplished with a pair of hair donuts and some hocus-pocus. Here's a HOW TO from Style Noted.

Hair from Alice Auaa Runway Show.

Jessie Ware "Devotion" Album Cover.

Photo from StyleNoted.com.