Thakoon spring 2012 | L.A.M.B. spring 2012 | Chanel pre-fall 2012 | Images via Style.com

The catwalks suggest that India is having a moment. In September 2011 at the New York Spring 2012 shows both Thakoon and L.A.M.B. Gwen Stefani were inspired by India.

Stefani’s girl was a cross of California menswear (circa the 1960′s) and the decadence of a Maharaja. Utilitarian jumpsuits, leather bomber jackets, the sporty graphic brought lent urban cool to gold embroidery, caftans, one shouldered dresses that suggest a modern take on the sari.

Over at Thakoon, Thakoon Panichgul envisions a woman who is the product of two worlds; the American West and India. Theoretically this could easily fall into the avenue of the cliche but impressively instead the designer creates a sheer revelation. Shiny fabric, lame focal points, cowboy hats, there is a full multi-tiered skirt, shirt dresses, metallic trim are all thrown into the tossed salad bowl and triumphantly work!

More recently Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel pre-fall 2012 show was set in decadence fit for a Raj. This Bombay inspired opulence meets the pared back Parisian cool of Coco Chanel.

Although the pairing of elements of the far flung regal majesty of India against other cultures is nothing new, the specific inspiration to be garnered from these specific collections is.

Jil Sander | Giambattista Valli | Junya Watanabe | Calvin Klein

Cristóbal Balenciaga innovative design (notable for the use of heavy technologically advanced fabrics, radically innovative tailoring and linear architectural form) was ahead of the curve both before and after World War II.

He has inspired (with many learning directly from Balenciaga as apprentices) a host of instrumental fashion designers including Hubert de Givenchy, André Courrèges, Oscar de la Renta and Pierre Cardin to name a few.

It has been almost forty years since his death and his influence is still apparent. Without a doubt he is seen in the sculptural and almost couture like form spotted in varying fall 2011 collections. At Jil Sander, Raf Simons set cocoon structure with ski inspired form. It was evident at Giambattista Valli and Calvin Klein, where the lines seemingly harked back to the cut of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s iconic Square coat.

Cristóbal Balenciaga’s pared back form, with focus on technological innovation, lives on.

More in the Trend Spotter segment here.

Catwalk images: Style.com

Erdem | Rebecca Minkoff | Collette Dinnigan | Tory Burch

Blue lace has making the rounds at the Resort 2012 collections. It was mostly laser cut to an inch of its life in varying shades of blue.

Will you wearing this trend?

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Photo Credit: Images used in collage are from Style.com

Jason Wu | Diane von Furstenberg | Michael Kors

The resort 2012 collections have been shown and one thing is clear it is all about bright surf inspired garments.

Designers like Jason Wu and Michael Kors to name took the lead on this trend.

Looks like it is time to pack our luggage for vacation.

More in the Trend Spotter segment here.

Photo Credit: Images used in collage are from Style.com

Alberta Ferretti fall 2011 | Marni fall 2011 | Bottega Veneta fall 2011 | Jean Paul Gaultier fall 2011

Grab a chic scooter and moon boot inspired heels because the 1960′s are incoming.

It has been about the 70′s for a season or two now but things go mod come fall winter 2011.

More in the Trend Spotter segment here.

Photo Credit: Images used in collage are from Style.com