THE BIGGEST TRENDS

Editor's Note: This is the second in a two-part series about spring trends at local boutiques and department stores. Part one ran last week in image.

This season, the runways were all about bright colors, maxi-dresses, graphic prints, safari trends and art-inspired dresses. But do these trends translate from the runway to what the consumer wants to buy? We talked to four local boutiques and department stores to find out what's really flying off the shelves.

Margaret Barlow and Rene Waugh, buyers for Dillard's

• Just One Word: "Casual." This season it is all about having a comfortable casual feel, whether it is putting on your favorite tee with a pair of jeans or a cotton jersey dress with a pair of gladiator sandals. Tees come from Awake, Ed Hardy, Butterfly dropout and whateverittakes.org. Dress brands to look out for include Kensie and French Connection.

• This Just In: Whateverittakes.org. The concept is simple. They gather artwork from leaders in all fields -- royalty, film, music, sports and literature. Each donates a symbol of hope and a message for hope for the future. The artwork is used to create T-shirts. These T-shirts retail for $46. The goal of Whateverittakes.org is to raise a minimum of $3 million over three years to fund charitable projects for the environment and other causes. Sheri Bodell is a new contemporary vendor whose dresses are adorned with metal studs and grommets, but also give off a feminine feel. Luna Luz is another new label in dresses and this line is a more casual daytime dress.

• The Essentials: Leggings will continue to be popular into fall. High-waisted shorts or pants continue to be popular. The waist is in full focus for spring and will continue to trend for fall 2008. Feminine dresses and a blouse with great sleeves are some key items for spring.

• Feel the Fabric: Organic fabrics such as cotton and bamboo have been huge. Silk voile and cotton voile are some other great lightweight fabrics for spring. Eyelets, cut-outs and crochets are some key fabrics in contemporary dresses.

• Color Me: While bright vibrant hues are everywhere this spring, the must-have color is yellow.

• Accessorize It: Skinny patent belts, chunky architectural heels, gladiator shoes, clutches, cuffs and bold necklaces.

• Flying off the Shelves: Ed Hardy T-shirts that are in bright colors adorned with crystals, studs, grommets, tattoos and Asian-inspired art. Ed Hardy continues to be a best-seller and blowing off our shelves. In dresses, Jagger bright-colored tops and dresses are best-sellers.

Joseph Federici, divisional merchandis manager -- fashion for MGMMirage

• In a Word: Color. This spring, dare to be bold and different by enhancing your wardrobe with a variety of bright colors. We have many great options from various lines at our stores Caprí at Bellagio, Maude at Mandalay Place and the Street of Shops at The Mirage.

• Label Mania: Several of our new labels excite us. With the weather getting warmer, we are thrilled to debut Syrup Swimwear in our stores. Created and founded by local designer Aaron Fust, Syrup swimsuits are named after popular Las Vegas hot spots. My personal favorite suit is "The Mirage" -- a snakeskin two-piece swimsuit with a bandeau top and a Brazilian bottom. Each suit has unique characteristics that include handcrafted embellishments with rust and heat resistant hardware. Syrup Swimwear ranges from $150 to $180 and can be purchased at Swim Bikini Boutique at Mirage, Pearl Moon at Mandalay Bay or exclusive at MGM Grand.

• Key Items: Every woman should have a bright Carlos Falchi handbag inspired by the colorful spring season. Veteran designer Carlos Falchi fuses exotic materials with his signature organic style to create whimsically colored handbags such as the large drawstring satchel in ocean blue for $2,725 and the Grand Boat Hobo in sunflower gold for $14,995. Carlos Falchi handbags are available at Caprí at Bellagio.

• Feel the Fabric: Organic fabrics have become very popular this season because the materials are very light, which will give anyone a fresh look for spring. Pure DKNY is a great line that features all organic clothing. With simple designs, Pure takes organic and sustainable materials including steel filaments and renewable fibers, to create comfortable, easy to wear clothing. Offering women's clothing and accessories from $95 to $225, Pure DKNY is available at The Boutiques at Mirage. Other hot fabrics for spring include jersey material, cotton, chiffon and anything with an exotic print.

• Gotta Have It: This season there isn't just one color. Any bright color such as bright yellow, hot pink, bright blue or royal purple will work to add pop to your wardrobe.

• Accessorize It: For accessories, animal skins are in for the season. This season is all about exotic bags ranging from crocodile to alligator.

• Can't Keep It In Stock: Dresses have great success in all of our stores, especially Norma Kamali's line. Kamali is famous for creating high-fashion looks by using terrycloth or jersey material. The Goddess dress is a great example of how Kamali uses these simple fabrics to create elaborate designs. Made of soft jersey material that hugs every curve of the body, the V-neck dress features classic draping that makes it perfect for all body types. You can find this dress at Caprí at Bellagio for $560.

Rompers also are very popular in our stores. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent offers a great bronze strapless zip-front romper for $249. Cynthia Vincent is known for making sexy and comfortable clothes that she'd want to wear. Her Twelfth Street definitely allows women to express their fun and vivacious spirit through her impeccable stylish vision. Available at Caprí at Bellagio, Twelfth Street features an array of women's ready-to-wear looks for $100 to $500.

Debbi Miles, special events and public relations manager for Saks Fifth Avenue at Fashion Show mall

• In a Word: Vibrant color! Bold bright colors worn from head-to-toe or as a splash of color worn with accessories as on your handbag, shoes or jewelry. The bright colors can be solids or part of a pretty floral print.

• This Just In: Magaschoni. This new collection is built around luxurious separates and is available in Missy sizes, Petite and Salon Z. The distinctive looks in this collection are definitely for the modern, self-confident woman. Jay Ahr. These contemporary show-stopping designer dresses can be worn with ease. Strapless, some backless, these unique dresses are designed in great fabrications and color. Daslu. A Brazilian collection of fabulous tunics and caftan printed tops embellished with beads, jewels and sequins.

• Material Issues: With the new push for "green," the chicest fabrics this season are made from organically grown fibers.

• Color Story: There is none this season. It's all the vivid bright colors.

• Accessorize It: The bangle is the hottest new accessory. They are big and bold and come in a variety of textures and colors. Kenneth Jay Lane designs great bangles in colors, prints in tan bamboo circles and square leaves, basket weave fabrications, and light wood coil bangles. They are worn stacked high on your arm.

• Flying Off the Shelves: Tunics are hot from Tory Burch, Etro, Magaschoni, Daslu, Blumarine and Lafayette 148.

The maxi-dress from Rebecca Taylor and Elie Tahari. Dresses are big in all lengths from minis to maxi. Solid bright summer colors, pretty floral prints and multi-fabrications along with details such as shirring and jeweled embellishments are important on dresses this season. We have beautiful assortments of flirty dresses for daytime and evening from Moschino, Miu Miu, Donna Karan and Dolce & Gabbana. We have great fun and comfortable styles for casual daytime from Juicy Couture, Diane von Furstenburg and Alice + Olivia

Sarah Nisperos, buyer for Ron Herman at the Forum Shops at Caesars

• In a Word: The phrase I would use to describe the spring 2008 season would be "hippy chic." Everyone from couture designers to contemporary ones are getting into very feminine, very colorful fabrics. It's about movement and print. Prints are either floral or ethnic. It's such a fun season to be a girl!

• This Just In: For daytime, sexy Ya Ya is my favorite label this season. It's representative of that feminine Bohemian look and they've done it in very sexy fabrics and beautiful tribal prints. By the pool, I love Taka. Again, it plays off of the hippy look, but in a vintage way. They use light cottons ... it's perfect loungewear. For evening, I really like Mara Hoffman. It's very sexy -- the way a woman wants to be sexy, if you know what I mean.

• Material Issues: It's not really about the fabrics this spring. It's more about the prints and the length of your skirts and dresses. It's either ultra-mini or floor length. We just had such a very "proper lady-like" fall season, so it's really fun now to dress loose, sexy and comfortable.

• Color Story: I don't think there's a must-have color, though I think the must-have is some sort of ethnic print. Buy any piece with any sort of amazing print, whether it be a handbag, shoes, dress or cotton pants.

• Accessorize It: The best accessories this season are huge earrings.

• Flying Off the Shelves: Ya Ya, Mara Hoffman and Danang.