While the runway marches continue in London, Milan, Paris and Los Angeles, Girlawhirl’s taking a moment to catch her breath and make a few notes about what she saw at New York Fashion Week. And even though it’s just the beginning of the Fall 08 “Fashion Reveal," Girlawhirl can see there are a few trends emerging…
• The ladylike silhouette that was introduced last fall continues full force. Outfits are pulled together, shapes flattering, and a grown-up attitude prevails.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• Emphasis on the waist creates a feminine, hourglass look. Whether it’s a belt, a high-waisted pant or skirt, or even a decorative waistband, all eyes are on the waist.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• A new way of layering is introduced. Instead of the typical approach to layers, which has so often begun at the bottom with a legging, for Fall 08 the layers focus on top. From sleeveless coats to chiffon overlays, there were plenty of layers on the New York runways, without a legging in sight.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• Super-textured sweaters in gorgeous colors are the perfect way to dress for Fall 08. Whether it’s horizontal cables like those at Ports 1961 or Cynthia Steffe, or the pretty pointelles at James Coviello, there’s a sweater for every occasion.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• A nod to nature. Whether designers were inspired by the elements – as Tracy Reece discussed backstage before her show – inadvertently incorporated leafy or tree-like prints into their collections, or made sure to print their show materials on recycled paper, Mother Nature was in attendance at almost every show during New York Fashion Week.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Those were the major messages that Girlawhirl received for Fall 08, but there were plenty of other ideas circulating in the tents.
• Fall fabrics: Plaids always take center stage for fall. Girlawhirl loved the colorful ones best: orange and grey at Tibi and Badgley Mishka, mauves, plums and chianti at Nanette Lepore. But it was the black and white twill at Cynthia Steffe that knocked her socks off. More black and white standouts were optical checked patterns and oversized tweeds. The oversized tweed was done in techno-color at Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren enlarged the buffalo plaid as well.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• Short dresses, along with high-waisted pants and skirts, created an almost impossibly leggy silhouette. Girlawhirl has no idea how she’ll pull that off, but there were plenty of looks to use as inspiration.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• Legs were the focus again with colorful opaque hose, sparkling sheers, and even fisherman-inspired leg warmers.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• Bows, ruffles, overlays and more. They’re all part of this “new way to layer.” Even if it’s as simple as the way a blouse blousons over the waistband of whatever it’s tucked into, Girlawhirl can see that for Fall 08 it’s all in the details.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• Standout shades: strong colors – reds of all shades, teal, fuchsia, gold, moody blues and purples are added to Fall’s more typical colors of grey, black, cream, brown, olive and taupe to create a whole new way of mixing, layering and wearing color.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
• For Girlawhirl it all ends with a simple question: what will she be wearing next fall? Key pieces that are sure to find their way into her closet include the following: The leather jacket. Velvet pants. Textured sweaters. A full skirt. The sculpted pant and a skinny cigarette pant.
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
It’s not over yet! There’s more to come from London, Paris and Milan.
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