There is something very romantic about traveling by train. The original Orient Express traversed the route from Paris to Istanbul for more than 100 years (1883-2009). But really it traveled the realm of the imagination and continues to do so today, with passengers longing for a bit of the luxe intrigue they found in Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel “Murder on the Orient Express.”

For SS13, designers have left the station, drawing inspiration from all eras and cultures on an exciting tour through the glorious world of Eastern fashion. Whether Japanese, Chinese or another Asian country, the inspiration was clear and the fashion world has taken notice. But this love-affair is nothing new. Like moths to a flame, designers and artists of the past have always been drawn to the Orient and the fashion forward designers of today are no exception. But what sets this fashion love-affair apart from all others is that the modern mix shapes the rich history and heritage from which the trend comes.

Designers such as The Row, Etro, Prada, Celine and Haider Ackermann, Dries Van Noten and Pankaj & Nidhi included elements of traditional Asian wear into their collections such as the Obi Belts, kimono sleeves, mandarin collars, embroidery, origami folds and lots of motifs ranging from flowers to dragons to graphic blossoms. Valentino did precious floral embroidery on soft net, while Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani cleverly introduced paisley prints and shibori handwork on kaftans and structured jackets.

Anyone who has been to the Orient or wandered through a bonsai garden, knows that the Far East specialises in a unique brand of beauty. For Eastern design is as much about tranquillity as it is about style; it’s a mood enhancer, an aesthetic that manages to calm as well as uplift. Below the surface, a quiet poise is instilled in the architecture, the culture, and even the clothes. Garden scenes, weeping willows, birds and blossoms on lush, decadent embroidery transport you to an exotic land, worlds away from the complications and challenges of real life.

The revival of a style trend is always interesting because it becomes more than merely a pretty object, instead it can transport us back to an historical point in history or tell a forgotten story. From the sidewalks to the red carpet, stylish fashionistas are embracing Spring’s coolest and most daring accessory item -the turban. The revival of the turban means that dressing with confidence is back in demand.

The turban has never really vanished, but it has been lying low. Recently, though, this dormant trend has quietly, but assertively, surfaced at fashion shows and on city streets.  - New York Times

From Miuccia Prada to Chanel, Jason Wu to Armani and Marc Jacob’s Spring 13’s collection, today’s modern interpretation of the turban is feminine, versatile and anything but traditional. Bright, hot or cool, they come in a variety of pastel colors and can be worn during the day or at night to add a bit of mystery and elegance to any outfit.

Fashion seems to just repeat it’s self, for the turban has been around for decades. Historically, the turban or the bulle, pagri, or daystar has it is commonly referred to in other parts of the world, has been worn by men and women for hundreds of years.

Originating in the East, different ethnic groups use them to symbolize their culture and religion. In the Middle East, the turban has been worn out of necessity as form of protection from the sun and sand of the desert.

In the Punjab region of India, it takes on a more religious significance, as it is part of the religious garb for those of the Sikh religion.

The turban is a fun accessory that can add a completely different dimension to any outfit. This Spring try the full-on turban hat or the turban headband if you’d like to ease into this trend slowly. Take your style cues from A-listers and trendsetters like Shala Monroque, Solange

Bring on the kimchi, pass the tiki masala. Change is afoot in global fashion. Until recently the world’s trillion dollar fashion industry was dominated by the classic fashion capitals of Milan, New York, Paris, London and Tokyo. Now cities in countries such as China, India, Korea, Brazil and Singapore are hitting the world stage in a new and exciting way.

Leading designers from around the world are extending local style into new territory. East and West are embracing in a fusion of local, traditional and international flare.

As an African designer there is the added pressure to break down stereotypes about Africa and educate the world about the Africa that we know. So it’s not about the typical leopard print.  - South African designer, David Tlale

The world of international fashion is rapidly expanding beyond Milan, Paris, New York and London to new destinations in every corner of the planet. Culturally inspired elements and inspirations are enriching every woman’s fashion palette. Whatever your preference – from sarees to kimonos, gorgeous silk to colorful batik, you can blend it into your look and express your inner global woman.

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THE KANGA

Jesca, China and Emma from the Bethany Family Children’s Home in Tanzania, East Africa teach us how to wear a Kanga. The Kanga is the traditional clothing for women throughout East Africa but especially in Kenya and Tanzania. According to Mama Jengo, Kangas are printed with vibrant colors and bold patterns and are always inscribed with important phrases about love, warnings, advice, problems or appreciation. You can learn more about these phrases at Mambo Magazine.

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THE HIJAB

Here’s a wonderful tutorial from a fabulously talented professional makeup artist named Zukreat. Checkout her makeup tutorials here and discover more about her on her website here.

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THE TURBAN

Pwetty Bambi shows us a wonderfully easy and beautiful technique for turning your scarf into a turban or headwrap.

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THE SHOULDER WRAP

From France, Mai Tai shows us how to transform a silk scarf into a beautiful shoulder wrap. Check out some of Mai Tai’s other videos for more creative ways to style your brightly patterned silk scarves.

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THE INFINITI SCARF

Yanira Garza, a stylist for verypashmina.com, shows us how to turn a large scarf or shawl into an infiniti scarf.

Even if you don’t recognize Iris Apfel’s name, her eclectic sense of style is hard to miss. When Apfel retired in 1992 after cultivating a successful interior design career and fashion consultancy, the fashion world was left to wonder what the free-spirited adventurous, self proclaimed oldest living teenager would do next. After twenty-one action packed years collaborating on a makeup line from MAC Cosmetics, designing countless collections for high profile fashion brands and curating a fashion extravaganza at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art featuring 600 pieces from her wardrobe, the answer is clear: a lot.

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ALTAR OF THE ACCESSORY

“My mother worshipped at the altar of the accessory and she taught me that if you can have one good little black dress and a lot of accessories… you can have umpteen outfits. ” In this video, discover why she believes that accessories are the most important part of a woman’s wardrobe.

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IT’S WHO YOU ARE

“When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else…I say, dress to please yourself. Listen to your inner muse and take a chance. Wear something that says ‘Here I am! today.’ ” In this video she shares more of her ideas about style and she talks about the company she ran with her husband for 44 years.

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STYLE IS ATTITUDE

Iris, famously said once (at 91, maybe 90 times) that, “Great personal style is an extreme curiosity about yourself. It is something that’s integral – it’s part of you, part of your psyche. It’s like putting yourself on a psychiatric couch; you have to study yourself and I think that requires some hard work, which a lot of people don’t want to do.” In this video she shares why she believes that great style begins with attitude.

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LESS IS A BORE

She is one inspiring woman for sure and a true style icon. Does Iris Apfel inspire you? In what way?

Once considered the hedonistic party destination of the Indian subcontinent, Goa-is quickly becoming the fashion destination for the global citizen. Goa, is not just a beach, but a rich and varied state that offers 63 miles of coastline along the Arabian Sea. Goa is visibly different from the rest of India, owing to Portuguese rule which isolated it from the rest of India for 451 years. Goa is India’s richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.

Attracted by Goa’s bohemian life, many designers, artists, and architects have made this beach slice of the Konkan their home. As a result, this former hippie hub has fast become a glamorous getaway, and a welcome crop of fashion and lifestyle shops now dot the coast. Check out why you might need an extra suitcase for all the goodies you’re going to bring back.