Several seasons ago I was crying out for pants on the runway. For Fall/Winter 2011 we are definitely seeing longer hemlines. Whether it is playing with proportions or color, there is always something for everyone in fashion. The 70s trend from spring has trickled over to fall. Items synonymous with the 90s such as babydoll dresses and fannypacks continue to be rehashed. What caught my Superstylin* eye the most during New York Fashion Week were pieces reflecting the new and the now such as the inventive blends and weaves of fabrics and unique embellishments.
After pouring through images from the collections and presentations, the following are just a mere portion of the offering which held my attention. Phillip Lim showed luxe sportswear separates and utilitarian looks, as well as long slouchy jumpsuits. The Proenza Schouler boys were inspired by Native American textiles and manipulated the patterns into pixelated versions in a variety of scale, colors and textures. Rodarte, known for their affinity of mixing fabrics and textures as well as cut, took us on a romp through the prairie. Ladylike dressing was on the agenda at Marc Jacobs with button-downs created in latex and rubber made to resemble sequins. Michael Kors celebrated 30 years in the fashion biz and showcased not only the shimmer and fur we have come to rely on from him for but also sleek body-concious jumpsuits with asymmetric draping. Another industry veteran, Oscar de la Renta, brought us his signature opulence and fresh new takes on sheath dresses. Alexander Wang's spin on eveningwear included a sublime blush poncho and sheer striped tuxedo blouse with flowing shirttail. Jason Wu's cocktail attire ranged from a tuxedo jacket with a double-layered lapel to a black coat adorned with feathers and a hint of fuchsia at the hemline. First lady favorite Prabal Gurung showed exquisite ombre furs and a pink dress was toughened up by a sharply cut vest and black leather accessories.
The fashion industry itself is focused on the new and the now as well. During fashion month my personal preference is to take in all the shows and let them simmer and digest if you will. The week prior to New York Fashion Week I was already experiencing overkill from excessive play-by-play tweets and articles in my Facebook feed. A positive aspect about this fashion evolution is the countless number of media options to choose from to tailor fit your personal tastes and preferences. You can tune in and tune out as often as you like. With livestreams becoming the norm and having the ability to pre-order the newest collections straight off the runway, I, like Tom Ford, prefer to have a more controlled approach to the flow of information. Next season, as I said I would *this* season, I am editing my sources of information sent directly to my feeds and phone to not experience media fatigue before the shows begin.
{Images via Style.com}
