Getty Images; AP PhotoNew York Fashion Week
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The Fabric: Fantastical Furs:
I know, I know, it's wrong and evil and cruel and unnecessary. So, for arguments sake lets say they are all faux. Good, now, just LOOK at these divine pieces! The more colors the merrier and every species—teddy bear to goat hair beaver to mink.
If my crystal ball is working, the coat of the season will be the Marc Jacobs pastel candy floss bomber. Coming soon to a Zara near you!
Pictured above from left to right: Altuzarra, J. Mendel, Thakoon, Marc Jacobs, Libertine.
The Print: Mad Plaid
Most would say that plaid for fall is about as unusual as florals for spring and I'd usually concur, except for this fall as plaid has gone MAD. Stark raving bonkers! But please, flannels and cowgirls need not apply. This is luxe and large scale. My favorites are from Delpozo (that cape!) and Thakoon. An easy trend to adopt now for fashion props.
Pictured above from left to right: Rodarte, Delpozo, Tommy Hilfiger, Thakoon, Marc by Marc Jacobs.
The Styling Trick: Long Knits and Long Skirts
Hemlines have dropped across the board and I'm a big fan of the ‘long on long' combo I saw float by me. Its effortless yet utterly chic. We saw mohair sleeveless Knit sweaters with mohair skirts at Calvin and chunky knits with sexy sequin skirts at Kors. Expect to see this styling in many a magazine spread.
Pictured above from left to right: Edun, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Dion Lee, 10 Crosby Derek Lam.
The Texture: Mixed Media
It's all about the combo. Leathers with furs, with silk with python with metallic's with sheer with wool…mix it up stopping just before you look like a batty old lady. And don't forget about proportions—big meets small, small meets big should be your mantra.
Pictured above from left to right: Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Band of Outsiders, Reed Krakoff.
The Color: Green with Envy
Green has been on everyone's lips for a while as a movement rather than a simple, quiet lovely color. Well, NYFW turned that on its head as I watched every shade of green trot by me: jade, forest, jungle, teal, olive, moss. Dorothy was right to follow that yellow brick road….you, too, should go find your emerald city.
Pictured above from left to right: Prabal Guring, Derek Lam, Altuzarra, Christian Siriano, Proenza Schouler.
London Fashion Week
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The Styling Trick: More is More
We stylists love a layer (or ten) for editorial, but this season, Brit designers are piling on the layers for the runway. They match the unmatchable with clashing colors, patterns and textures. Fearlessness is your only strategy when trying this at home. Think: third and fourth pieces are essential. Take notes from Temperley where layers seem to make you longer!
Pictured above from left to right: House of Holland, Jonathan Saunders, Temperley, Peter Pilotto, Matthew Williamson.
The Color: Orange is the New Black
Vitamin C, OD. I know, I was shocked as you are. Its hardly the most universally flattering shade, or is it? Certainly looked pretty darn good at Preen (enjoying the over the oversized coat) and Giles where tangerine and flame were worn in one look. Pair it with anything but black or your pretty pumpkin skirt will get a little too Halloween.
Pictured above from left to right: House of Holland, Preen, Christopher Raeburn, Giles, Mark Fast.
The Continent: Asia
Oriental prints styled with a heavy dose of English flair popped up throughout LFW. Erdem (who channeled 1960s icons) trotted out some stunning frocks with rich jacquard embellishment. Giles mixed hummingbird prints with mustard crop tops worn by blue haired models and Topshop Unique took pretty print shirt dresses and layered over turtlenecks and knee-high kinky boots. Fusion at its best.
Pictured above from left to right: Antonio Berardi, Erdem, Giles, Topshop Unique, Jonathan Saunders.
The Piece: Menswear Jacket
It's time to start shopping in your man's closet, girls. Men's overcoats were rife on the runway. Giving weights to an ethereal dress at Mary K., or teamed with men's slacks al la Kane—it's a look that's on my shopping list. And the ultimate bonus—your knees will be warm all fall.
Pictured above from left to right: Kane, Belstaff, Mary Katranzou, Paul Smith, Matthew Williamson.
The Texture: Folklore
Which basically translates as lots of embroideries, patterns and beadworks that read romantic, exotic and ethnic. My favorite Mary Katranzou who, shock horror, eschewed the prints that made her famous in favor of exquisite embroideries, mirrors and random symbols. There are a couple of frocks in the line-up that for sure have celeb Oscar reservations on them.
Pictured above from left to right: Joseph, Mary Katranzou, Burberry, Temperley, Holly Fulton.