Curls for singer Rebecca Win at May & Mark fashion show

LOOKING back over fashion trends in Myanmar during 2007 is, like anywhere else in the world, an exercise in studying rapidly changing trends and the factors that influence them.

Hair styles

There were curls, curls, curls everywhere in early 2007, in various shades of brown.

“My favorite hair colour and style for 2007 is curls with black. I am so bored with colours,” said one of the country’s most famous actresses, Eaindra Kyaw Zin.

Then, in mid-year, black made a comeback, and many chose to highlight their natural hair colour with another perennial favourite: the bob was back.

Models and actresses such as Moe Hay Ko, Chit Thu Wai, Khin Phone and Thinzar Wint Kyaw were among those who embraced the bob, a trend heavily influenced, said Ma Thae Thae, from G Six beauty salon, by Victoria Beckham.

Model Htet Htet Wint sports a bob at May & Mark fashion show

“Women who had a bob also had extensions; many a bob with extensions to prevent their natural hair from being damaged by colouring or curling,” Ma Thae Thae said.

Model Moe Hay Ko was among those who opted for a bob with extensions, but for many women, extensions were beyond their budget.

“My previous hair style did not match the various roles I have to perform; my hair had been damaged by having been curled so many times,” she said.

Fashion

Singer Jenny in cropped vest, denim shorts and leggings at a hip-hop concert

Denim remained a favourite but instead of jeans, many young women chose short denim skirts or pants, said Ma Swun Phu, managing director of the Kaung Wint San chain of fashion boutiques.

Small belts eclipsed big belts and another new trend during 2007 was leggings worn with long dresses.

Colourful belts were worn with dresses rather than trousers and matched with leggings in various colours.

Short and tight-fitting vests, which emerged in 2006, remained a favourite with many women.

“I feel young and sport when I wear a short vest; I just love the way it’s cut,” said Ma Su Su Aung, 20, a medical student.

“I have three cropped vests and I plan to buy more because they are perfect to wear during the winter season,” she said.

Colours

The hit colours this year included gold, silver, aquamarine and purple. Some wedding gown designers opted for creations in gold and silver. A few brides dressed in purple gowns, said make-up artist and fashion designer, Khin San Win.
Designer Ma Myitzu said gold was her favourite colour for 2007.
“It is perfect for wedding and for evening gowns,” she said.

Footwear

The hottest style was peep-toe heels but anything with heels was popular.
“Myanmar women were quick to follow the trend for peep-toe high heels and they preferred them in strong colours,” said Ma Khin Zarchi Win, the brand executive of Charles & Keith.
Other footwear brands which enjoyed strong demand this year included Vincci, Heatwave and Shoe Gallery.
Fashion may constantly change, but many women never tire of keeping up with the latest trends in designs and styles. That’s fashion!