From Memorable Falls on the Runaways to Fatastic Exhibition of Beauty: it was 2015 New York Fashion Week all the Way

New York Fashion Week is over and the hordes of who's who in fashion (and anyone else for that matter) is already in full reporting mode at the next stop on this crazy ride: London. Well, I need a but of a downtime to process the assault to the senses (in the best possible way, of course) experienced in the fist eight days of shows and shows and shows of the RTW Spring 2016. New York never disappoints and this year was no exception. There was intrigue, and highly anticipated debuts, and controversies, and spectacularly bad falls on the runaways.... You get it, it was NYFW!

There were plenty of fabulous collections and shows, some truly amazing ones,  envelope-pushing ones, and yes! some very disappointing ones, ... and anything in between. Not that anyone cares but here is my recap. The best overall show, hands down, was #Givenchy. (you can see my post on it here). Call me a romantic, but the top three collections were Ralph Lauren, Diane von Furstenberg, and Badgley Mischka. Thinking about it -- they all have one thing in common and perhaps that was what made an impact on me: refined and tailored sun-kissed elegance.

                                                   Ralph Lauren Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Badgley Mischka Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Badgley Mischka Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear Collection Photos - Vogue (clipped to polyvore.com)

For most outrageous one I am definitively going with the VFiles. Now, I am going to keep this blog PG13 rated so I am not going to post photos, but it is definitively worth checking it out. It may not have been the most creative collection but it was a show and collection that pushed the envelope and dismantled all preconceived ideas of fashion restraint and runaway decency. And I loved it!

Now, for worst collection AND show I have to go with Kenye West's Yeeze Season 2. Sorry, but no front row attendance roster can save lack of creativity.

For emerging dominating color for spring 2016 I am going with deep canary yellow.

Marissa Webb Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Prabal Gurung Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Oh and there are all the trends. There will be plenty of posts and magazine displays dedicated to trends and yes there were some that seem inescapable. But I am not going there. Watching show after show I found myself intrigued with the following five trends. Only time will tell if we will see them on the streets.

 Number One: Ruffles  

Ergo, the starting collage at the top of this post. Designers seem to have gone deep into the seventies and eighties to bring back major, attention grabbing, unapologetic  ruffles.

Marchesa Ready To Wear Spring Summer 2016 New York (clipped to polyvore.com)

  Number Two: Star Wars Fashion  

From Tome, to Hood by Air, to Alexander Wang, to Nicholas K and Public School designers seem to have found a major inspiration in the idea of post apocalyptic fashion as depicted in movies. I definitively love this Darth Vader meets Mod meets Bedouin futuristic fashion.

Nicholas K Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Nicholas K Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

ADEAM Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear (clipped to polyvore.com)

There is something very liberating when designers are showing a connection to the world around them and going back towards creating not just clothes that would make you stand out on the club floor but creating a social movement. Perhaps it is not a wear for everyone but the long loose coats, the cocoon layers, the military/tribal inspired garb is a hit.

 Trend Three: Return of the 70s' Exotism 

The fascination with faraway exotic places was on display on the runaways in NYC this September.  And perhaps noone can quite bring the mystique of exotism out like Naeem Khan:

 Trend Four: Loose and Long and  Loud 

I suppose we have to learn not to be afraid of color. No matter the combination, the pattern, or the match. Designers seem to have crossed out the match in color mismatch.

  Trend Five: Not your Mom's Denim 

Now if you were thinking that you will be able to recycle last year's denim in your closet, well the message from the runaways was "Think Again!". If you were not ready for the high waste flares well strap in there will be patchwork denim, and cocoon denim, and anything in between, OH My!


  Trend Five: Cross-over and bare shoulder tops  

No doubt bare shoulders will be big next season. But the cross_me/hug_me bandage tops are a nice way to explore the trends even if you are not ready to bare tour shoulders out. They are very figure flattering and can go with any style and for any occasion.