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When model duos descended on a bank of escalators to a giant checkerboard runway in Louis Vuitton’s signature Damier print, it was clear that a major trend was emerging. It’s been a long time since we played the game, but we may want to brush up on our skills—ranging from itty-bitty to supersized, checker patterns are anything but square for Spring 2013.

Most notable ushered in with Vuitton’s all around checker ode, designer Marc Jacobs’ mod shapes and 1960s references brought the pattern up to speed, and the rest followed. At Aqualiano.Rimondi, the checker pattern was flipped on an angle, giving a harlequin print effect to the duo’s colourful dresses. At Balmain, the checker print was given a larger than life 1980s spin, when it was embroidered into bulked up shoulders.

Alongside its close relation, the stripe, the checker trend has become a favourite amongst Hollywood’s leading ladies. Seen on everybody from Jessica Alba to Kristen Stewart to Kerry Washington, the print brings with it an unexpected slant on the average. Perhaps it was the same optimism that has attracted so many it girls to the Vuitton collection itself. It attracted us, that’s for sure.