Madonna, Gwen Stefani and the spirit of Latin in 2006

In the September issue of Vogue, editors predicted that the future of fashion lies in the hands of designers who had taken romantic inspiration to another level. \nRuffles, frills, lady-like dresses and satin ribbon have dominated the runways of 2005, but I predict we will not see the same old trends in 2006. Though velvet blazers, wide leg pants and A-line skirts flatter most figures, there is a strong trend bubbling up in 2006 that I can't ignore. \nThough fashion is influenced by the runways, and Vogue praises designers such as Narciso Rodriguez for their romanticism, Gwen Stefani and Madonna have taken a different approach. \nAs I sit here listening to Madonna's "Hung Up," I can't help but embrace the urban disco trend in the video. As the beat pulsates, I can't avoid picturing my Portuguese grandmother and mother wearing halter top jersey dresses in colors of maroon, aqua green and pink, with sparkling disco shoes to match.\nThe entire video conjured up memories that made me want to do the Bus Stop, Electric Slide and dance the night away. My grandmother and mother were queens of the disco and urban chic, and their descendent is ready to embrace all of the breakdancing and disco that are becoming popular. \nLike Stefani getting her nails done in her new "Luxurious" video, I sat with my grandmother every other week while she got her nails done. Now, Stefani has embraced the ultra-long "ghetto" nails, big earrings and eye-enhancing eyeliner. \nQueen Gwen took ghetto fabulous, dropped the fabulous, and is making "ghetto" fashionable again. I must admit, I love the long nails and the sparkles below the eye. I have been sitting on an entire CD case full of Swarovski sparkles that stick to your body, and now I know exactly what to do with them. \nIn her video, Stefani also touched on another trend that has been bubbling up for some time now -- the Spirit of the Latino culture.\nSo, be on the lookout for Latino artists such as Ivy Queen, Pitbull and Don Omar. They will have everyone saying "y dame un poquito de reggaeton" (which translates to "give me a little raggaeton," the hook from "Play that Song" by Tony Touch with Nina Sky). \nDesigners have been making room for Latin women in their collections and it is a beautiful thing .\nWith ethnic and cultural influences bubbling up in the music and fashion industry, I can't help but wonder how long the lady-like looks of Cynthia Steffe, Tracy Reese and Narciso Rodriguez are going to last. The spirit of fashion for 2006 will be dominated by the city streets and the colorful people who populate them. \nWhat is bubbling up is spilling over, and now we must embrace it, fashion and all.