TRENDS Latin flair inspires many fall fashions

Multicultural influence is seen in this season's luxe ensembles.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
PHILADELPHIA -- Ponchos and bolero-style jackets. Satiny skirts in bold greens, purples, oranges and yellows. Bronzer for the year-round tan look.
Red, round-toed pumps and skinny jeans.
Think of the above Latin-inspired items as the core pieces of your early-winter wardrobe, then sprinkle in furs, tweeds and argyles. Punctuate with a tropical print silk scarf. Add a glittery golden brooch, or two.
The result: Luxe ensembles that blend Caribbean, Southwestern and European nuances with dress-up vintage.
"What we have now is a big eclectic mix, and the beauty is that it's heavy on elements that tie directly back to Hispanic culture," said Erika Prosper, director of marketing at Garcia 360, a Texas-based firm that studies Latino shopping habits.
"The Latin culture: fiestas, salsas, the joy of living are all big in pop culture right now, right down to tapas. Latinas have traditionally mixed textures, and the influence is really strong this fall."
That's not to say that everything fashionably fly this season has to shout Ole! But the influence, which began with the peasant look in the 2001-2002 fashion season, ushered in the beginning of today's haute-couture girly-girl, after years of khaki onslaught.
It was those simple looks -- blousy, ruffly shirts, silk cargo pants, and tasseled bags, said Nordstrom fashion director Gregg Andrews -- that flaunted Old World Spanish themes.
Added glamour
But as the feminine fashionista hits her stride, designers have added glamour to the mix. This fall that reads as lots of fur, faux and real; glitter; and golden brooches -- luxuriousness grounded with items of Latin sensibility.
Ponchos, for example, are a fashion necessity this season, along with bolero-style jackets, slim-fitting skirts, and bright-colored high-heeled shoes.
"The return of femininity is driving a lot of what you see," said Betty Cortina, editorial director of Latina magazine.
Trendmakers didn't intend for Latin chic to be a running theme of their fall fashion lines, said Marshall Cohen, fashion analyst for NPD Market Research. It more or less happened as designers looked around and created runway shows based on how celebrities put themselves together. Staunch people-watchers, they checked out patrons of "it" places, too.
"People are coming at this Latin fusion from all directions," Cohen said.
Culture apparent
"But one thing is for sure. We are at the beginning of seeing south-of-the-border culture becoming mainstays of fashion."
One reason is that Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country. They spend more than 700 billion retail dollars a year, Prosper said, so marketers are targeting them big time.
Over the last decade in the fashion world, designers Carolina Herrera and Narciso Rodriguez have brought sophisticated and subtle Latin flair to their ready-to-wear fashions.
But it was Jennifer Lopez, with her chandelier earrings, voluptuous curves, and glowing bronze skin, who did the most to inspire the lust for all things Latino.
Momentum continues
This fall, the momentum continues. Tom Ford's final collection for Gucci, as well as the offerings of Prada, Akris and Chanel, all feature ponchos fashioned in fabrics from cashmere to cotton. Roberto Cavalli showed ruffled Gypsy looks with cinched waists in deep purples, yellows and limes.
"We are seeing a very strong multicultural influence," said Denelle Green-Drake, spokeswoman for Neiman Marcus. "That is melding with the return to Hollywood for exciting fashions with a 1950s and 1960s flair."
Even the classic ready-to-wear designers are on board.
Ralph Lauren is having a very turquoise year, if his catalog is any indication. The signature Ann Taylor woman has luxurious dark hair decorated with a pink rose.
Last month, Kmart will rolled out fashions by music mogul Tommy Mottola's wife, Thalia Sodi. Daisy Fuentes introduced a line at Mervyn's recently. Carlos Santana has a shoe line.
How does one mix Latina spice and '50s glam without looking like a thrift-store reject?
Letting go of staid fashion rules is key. Remember, satin is perfecto with tweed, and lime green goes with purple and is amped up with a touch of rust. Fur shrugs can be worn over white cotton button-down shirts to the office this fall.