Avril Graham, Executive Fashion and Beauty Editor for Harper's Bazaar breaks down the 80s trends seen at New York Fashion week. Avril notes that the 80s wasn't really known as a decade of good taste, but that the new interpretations of the trends make it all so much better. Big shoulders, neon, structured jackets, and gold lame are all huge for fall. Take a look:
Sir Paul Smith showed a wide-ranging collection at London Fashion Week. He noted that the collection doesn't really have a unifying theme: it was divided into sections. The opening was full of fair isle knits, which then segued into feminine floral prints, with skirts, blouses and military-styled coats. He then hit the color button which livened up all the dark shades. Sir Paul says that khaki can be sexy: it's all in how you wear it. He also used olive to create some updated trench coats. He also showed some lovely black evening wear.
Take a look:
Kanye West has been quite the fashion aficianado, attending fashion shows on both sides of the Atlantic. After the Vivienne Westwood show in London, Kanye introduced himself to Vivienne, who unfortunately did not seem to know who he was.
Kanye who? That's what designer Vivienne Westwood was wondering after the rapper introduced himself to her during London Fashion Week. Yeezy rushed over to Westwood after her runway show and gushed that he's a fan - but after he left, the British fashionista had to ask her pal who Kanye was, shrugging, "I think he's famous in America."
Christopher Kane showed his fall ready to wear line at London Fashion Week and it was lovely. Kane said he took a black marker and sketched out the ideas for the collection and it shows in the spare, architectural, fitted shapes, which were adorned with geometric black velvet lines, optical illusions and black bordered silk ruffle. The hemlines were generally just above the knee and the cocktail dresses were very feminine and pretty, but with a bit of an edge to them.
Kane says he loves cashmere and it showed with some very nice sweaters. The palette for the collection was based on black and neutrals, but he also created ribbon dresses with shades of gold, pink and violet. Anna Piaggi of Italian Vogue sat in the front row, as did Twiggy. Kanye West also attended, but got there late and had to stand for the show. Take a look:
Alice Temperley decided not to show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York. Instead, she showed her "Empress of the Orient" collection in her SoHo store. She also created a very cool video of the collection, saying "You've got to show how the clothes move and flow. This way the collection can go out to five million people rather than just the few who'd come to a runway show." This is clip from the video:
You can see the full video at TemperleyLondon.com. It's well-worth seeing for the choreography alone. Not to mention the great jackets and dresses. Oh, and of course, the insanely fabulous hats.
As we think back on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, we can't help but remember all the wild hats. Clearly, avant garde headgear is going to be key for fall. The crazier the better. We think our favorite over the top headgear was made by Isaac Mizrah: he created hats that looked like handbags. It was just so....Isaac. So unforgettable.
In this backstage video from Isaac's show, New York magazine's Harriet Mays Powell talked to Isaac about his fall 2009 collection. "It's about comfort. Like blankie and fuzzy and Xanax," he told Harriet just before the show. He further explained that he had African inspirations, but don't think beads. "Its more like a fur-lined flip-flop, because October's the new August and you need a flip-flop in October now, I think," he explains.
We have no idea what he's talking about, but we love him. Be sure to watch for the handbag hats:
Retailers Plan on Carrying Less of Your Favorite Fall Fashions
An article from Forbes says large retailers and small boutiques are going to be buying less inventory for their stores this year. The article says Saks Fifth Avenue is dropping its clothing orders by about 20%. Some small boutiques in the article say they are reducing their order by even higher amounts. Forbes also says consumers won't see Fall products arrive until it actually starts turning colder.
The result for consumers: Most fall apparel won't hit stores as it usually does, in July. Instead, shoppers will have to wait until the leaves start turning before finding new sweaters, fall coats and tweed skirts on the racks. If they want to buy their fall wardrobe over the summer, they will have a choice of perennial ready-to-wear items like T-shirts and blazers.
By buying less inventory these retailers are predicting that consumers will want to purchase less. It also means that retailers will be less likely to discount the items they carry.
Monahan, who is a style expert for The Rachael Ray Show and an on-air commentator on the Bravo series Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, predicts that along with a smaller selection, consumers will find fewer discounts.
Instead of trying desperately to unload an inventory glut, as retailers did this fall and winter, they will be smarter and more strategic in their buying plans. "We won't be seeing these same deep discounts in August or September," Monahan forecasts. "Retailers are being extra careful to make sure they do not have to mark down."
With less inventory in stores it will mean that this Fall any items that become hot must-have items are going to be harder to find than ever.
