Today marks the end of a 17-year era, as the New York Fashion Week event was held at Bryant Park for the last time. As I type, the park’s famous tents are being torn down and packed up as the last Fall 2010 collection (Tommy Hilfiger) was presented a short while ago. The tents will go up next year at Lincoln Center.
I’ve been keeping an eye on each collection as they live stream video, fashion reporters report and style bloggers blog. It’s been very exciting.
Since I last blogged, I noticed two more big trends emerge – Fur and “Robo Chic” – as well as a few smaller trends you’ll want to keep an eye out for, such as quilted leather and longer blazers.
Furry Fashions
I was frankly surprised to see so much fur on the runways. It has such a stigma. It’s so political. But it was all over everything at this show. Coats, full-on fur dresses and dresses lined with fur, vests, shirts, hats, elbow-length fur arm warmers, fur boots, fur bags – even fur stilettos. You name it, it had some animal hair on it. Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, Michael Kors, Malandrino, Elie Tahari, Brian Reyes, Thuy… and droves more designers let the fur fly in the face of the persistent protesters – oh yeah, and this relentless recession.
I doubt they’re all using our local claim to furry fame, Fabulous Furs, but I hope so! I’m not a fur protester, but I do encourage you to check out the Fabulous Furs showroom in Covington to see how realistic and warm her faux furs are. You will be surprised at how real they look and high-quality they are. She (Donna, the owner, whom I adore) has much of what I saw on the runways in her showroom to be honest. Coats, blazers, cardigans, shoes and gloves. Sorry for turning this trend section into a plug for her, but I couldn’t believe how much fur I saw this year, and I do hope this boosts business for Fabulous Furs – a local gem and trend-setter in the fur industry.
Robo Chic
Toni Francesc named his Fall 2010 show “Artificial Life” and that it was. His collection marched out a robo chic parade of pointed and tiered shoulders, with silvers and greys patched or colorblocked onto black and brown shine and matte fabrics. Other collections featured oversized studs, mechanical hardware and sci-fi inspired necklines and sleeves.
Quilted Leather
On the season premiere of Jay Leno’s new primetime show, Rihanna rocked a quilted leather blazer. Ever since then, I’ve been keeping an eye out for a quilted leather jacket to hang in my coat closet. But now that Alexander Wang strutted quilted leather shorts down the runway, I might need to get them – oh yeah, and do a lot of squats and lunges to look halfway decent in them! Lots of bags and accessories (headbands) donned this quilted leather style, too. That’s a good way to add this high-end luxe look into your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Other Trends…
Enter, longer blazers. Exit, short-waisted jackets. It was nice to see a long blazer again after such a long stint with the hip-hitting jackets that don’t flatter many female body types. And the blazer was paired with any and everything, from a t-shirt to a sheer lace tank. Or, as Isaac Mizrahi did in the look to the right, pair a muted matte blazer with a glammed up cocktail dress. Has that “my boyfriend put this on me ’cause I got cold” look when you wear it that way… but imagine if she actually had her arms through the sleeves.
Layering was another key trend, with a mix of fabrics that offer texture and interest. A few designers like Peter Som and Alexander Wang presented models who literally looked like they’d thrown on everything in the closet all at once. Some days I feel like just doing that… now it’s apparently en vogue to do so. Sweet.
Another trend was a contrasting sleeve. Designers (such as Chris Benz and Derek Lam) used a different material than the rest of the outfit. Others used a graphic print on the sleeve that wasn’t on the rest of the garment.
And lastly: Belts. Wear belts with everything. Cardigans, blazers, sweaters, t-shirts, blouses, coats… hey, if you’re so inclined like this model, wear three.
<<————— haha! : )
I mentioned Rihanna earlier and it reminded me — I interviewed her stylist Mariel Haenn recently and never posted the interview! I got to meet her through a promotion Saks Fifth Ave was doing. I quickly learned that Mariel is BRILLIANT and has single-handedly made Rihanna into the trend-setting bonafide style icon she is today.
In my humble opinion, Mariel is behind two of the trends in this blog post (Robo Chic and Quilted Leather), and she’s only 30 years old. Pretty amazing.
Check out the video below to see the interview with her and get insight into the stylist behind the famous styles you love and adore.
[HTML1]
One thought on “New NYC Fashion Week Trends”