MANILA, Philippines?The Harper?s Bazaar team, led by Hearst Magazines? fashion and entertainment director Kirsten Ingersoll, was less than a day away from shooting Colombian pop diva Shakira in Los Angeles late last year when it received an urgent e-mail from her office that immediately sent everyone into panic mode.

Included in the virtual list of dos and don?ts were looks the star wouldn?t be caught dead wearing: soft, floral-printed and brightly colored dresses. Not only were these looks the forecast trends for Spring-Summer 2008, Ingersoll and her team had already spent weeks conceptualizing the shoot and pulling out such clothes for Shakira to wear.

?After going through the e-mail,? said Ingersoll, ?I looked at the clothes we have on the rack and realized that we had a problem.?

Pressed for time, she had no choice but to stick with what they have and hope Shakira would be an adventurous dresser as she is a performer.

Apart from emphasizing the ?hazards? of her profession, Ingersoll used the anecdote as a springboard to discuss upcoming trends as fashionistas the world over say goodbye to a long, dark winter (or at least to winter-inspired outfits) and look forward to warmer, more fashion-friendly months.

Ingersoll was among the featured speakers in a recent series of symposiums in Bangkok sponsored by the Emporium Shopping Complex. The talks were in conjunction with the first-ever ?Emporium World Fashion Showcase? (see related story on page F1), a six-day event that featured some of Europe?s high-end brands such as Chanel, Chloe, Kenzo, Emilio Pucci and Valentino in a series of nightly fashion shows, showcases, and parties.

Trends on the runway

Expectedly, most of the trends she sighted were mirrored in the clothes Chanel and company showed on the runway. Even Fendi?s classic Baguette bag came in a rainbow of ?pure? colors that go well with the season?s brightest and boldest outfits.

If women are to heed Ingersoll?s recommendations below, as Shakira eventually did in Harper?s Bazaar?s current issue, it?s probably time to give the little black dress a rest?at least for now?and indulge in a riot of colors and prints as well as a bit of tribal and romantic inspirations as they go about their business.

Invest in a number of jewel-tone dresses as well as those that come in tropical ?fruit bowl? shades such as dusty orange, canary yellow and palm tree green.

Go for an equally bright-colored bag and pair of shoes that can either contrast with a solid-colored outfit or pick up a particular shade from a printed frock, skirt or top.

Speaking of shoes, platforms are here to stay, but they will now have to share the limelight with open-toe flats and gladiator sandals that sometimes reach up to the knees. Chunky heels are almost statements unto themselves.

Dominant prints are either floral/wallpaper-inspired or painterly in quality, the kind that brings to mind Jackson Pollack?s random-looking splashes and splotches on a solid black or white canvas.

If you still can?t bring yourself to wear a printed or brightly colored outfit, take Ingersoll?s advice and limit the bold colors to your shoes and bags.

Another trend that?s bound to be big this coming season, and which provides an ideal foil to all the shocking hues and huge prints out there, is the ?Out of Africa? look consisting of practical belted outfits, shorts and tailored halters in beige, brown and gray as well as tribal-inspired dresses in earth colors.

To tone down a rather mannish look, Ingersoll suggested spicing it up with open-toe sandals and chunky jewelry.

Graphic tops, including jackets and shells in such seemingly outlandish prints as stars and stripes, and in primary colors, will also be big.

For corporate meetings and power lunches, you won?t go wrong with a smart yet soft tweed ensemble. You can add some punch to the look by wearing a vibrant-colored shell such as red, hot pink, orange and lemon yellow.

Denim pieces and metallic accessories (why are we not surprised?), including shoes, in their umpteenth reincarnation will still make heads turn.

The romantic look, in the form of soft fabrics, subtle silhouettes, huge bows, cabbage roses and book leaf details, is bound to occupy a substantial space in not a few fashionistas? wardrobes.

Indeed, except for a few key pieces, most of these looks don?t usually sit well with Shakira, who has a penchant for showing off substantial skin and curves via black or faded low-slung jeans, mini skirts and tattered-looking bra tops.

How did Ingersoll eventually convince her to give colors and feminine floral prints with skimming silhouettes a try?

?I simply explained to her what the shoot was all about while we walked around the venue, an Indian-inspired house and garden teeming with vibrant colors and textures,? she said. ?She completely understood the concept and had no qualms when the time came to wear the clothes. In fact, she loved them!?