Spring 2011’s Turban Trend

By Erin Donnelly 01/17/11 at 07:23 PM

Spring 2011 turban trend

Photos: Imaxtree

Turbans as seen on the Milly, Issa and Vena Cava Spring 2011 runways.

As you plot your Spring 2011 accessory purchases, don’t leave out one crucial element for the season: the turban.

Yes, the runways were rife with Arabian Nights-inspired head wraps, which also enjoyed a sartorial heyday back in the ’40s and ’70s. Combine that with the recent turban-studded campaigns for Giorgio Armani and Prada, plus the backing of celebrities like Salma Hayek—who wore one to Stella McCartney’s spring fashion show—and resistance appears futile.

But where to begin? The desert headwear proved surprisingly wearable given the vast interpretations seen on the catwalk, which ranged from bulbous and bright to sleek and sophisticated.

Armani’s rounded black and navy toppers had the feel of bowler hats, albeit ones wrapped in head scarves that created a side ponytail of sorts; paired with matching pantsuits and slinky gowns, the look was enigmatic and elegant, with just a touch of eccentric.

On the minimalist front, the Vena Cava gals opted for relatively effortless coral and navy turbans that revealed the crowns of the models’ heads. Milly by Michelle Smith took it one step further (or back, as it may be) with her wearable, vintage-style headbands that begged to be worn with a fun printed sundress or high-waist shorts.

Going the bolder route, Andrew Gn resurrected the ’70s-era Bianca Jagger look with his forehead-obscuring helmets in shades of peacock green, purple, and chocolate brown.

But perhaps the quirkiest of the bunch belonged to Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, whose billowing, blindingly bright turbans—paired with neon bikinis and a dress made of balloons—ran the gamut from a post-shower towel style to a knotted, Marge Simpson–rivaling number affixed to a giant heart.

And don’t be surprised if two reigning fashion icons start working the trend. First Lady Michelle Obama’s favored designer Jason Wu delivered simple, softly wrapped cobalt and black turbans, while Issa, the label of choice for royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton, upped the ante with her tropical, towering piles of fabric in Technicolor hues.

Now, who’s ready to rock the casbah?