The buzz surrounding the month of September isn't just from the bees outside. It's been a busy month in the fashion world of late, with the major fashion capitals hosting their latest round of fashion weeks. Mother of all fashion festivals- Mercedes Benz Fashion Week- kicked fashion season into gear in New York two weeks ago, and ever since there’s been a non-stop fashionable whirlwind of runway shows and exhibitions.
New Yorkers proved why they've kept their "fashion capital of the world" tag, where the designers weren't the only ones showing off their fashion credentials. The fash-pack was out in force, with actors, socialites, on- and off-duty models, fashion-kids, stylists and, of course, The Anna Wintours of the world arriving at the Bryant Park tents in droves for their favourite week of the year. If the dresses didn't wow, the front row more than made up for it.
Celebrity Stylist Rachel Zoe with Elle's Joe Zee and model/actress Milla Jovovich
French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld
Aussie actress Rose Byrne was spotted front row at Calvin Klein, with a neat little posse of fellow screen stars including Kerry Washington, Eva Mendes and Thandie Newton. Even tennis player Serena Williams took time out from abusing officials to catch a few shows with model slash wannabe Oprah, Tyra "Bankable" Banks. Gossip Girls Blake, Vanessa and Taylor were also spotted sitting front row at Dianne Von Furstenburg, Rag & Bone and Erin Wasson x RVCA. With the designers madly congregating their celebrity clientele it seems to make it in this industry all one needs is an A-list front row. Good clothes can't hurt either.
Front Row at Calvin Klein
Gossip Girl's Blake Lively at DvF
Familiar faces were seen strutting their stuff on the catwalk too, with local favourites Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn and Karlie Kloss on high rotation after wrapping up the European fashion season. Other in-demand girls to walk for the likes of All-American (all stars?) Zac Posen, Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors were Natasha Poly, Sasha Pivovarova, Lily Donaldson and Aussie model of the moment Abbey Lee Kershaw.
Natasha Poly for Michael Kors
Abbey Lee for Isaac Mizrahi
In terms of trends, New York did what it does best; forecast. There was definite carry-through from the power-loving fall ‘09 season, especially with draped jersey, cut-outs and bondage style straps done Rodarte-esque. Tommy Hilfiger kept true to his famed All-American style with his Beachside Romp collection retaining its classic simplicity, but injected with youthful glamour and modernism. This was achieved through sharp tailoring offset by more slouchy, free flowing pieces, (nautically) knotted up with a crisp colour palette. This sure was a running trend for the week, with similar casual yet sexy tailoring at Rag & Bone and Christian Siriano (one of the rare gems unearthed by Heidi Klum’s Project Runway).
Casual cool at Tommy Hilfiger
Other refreshing shows were Isaac Mizrahi, were we saw the mixing of deconstructed masculine silhouettes with understated fifties glamour. The eighties revival is still going strong, with an almost harlot-like rock chick theme at Jill Stuart, featuring mesh filled cut-outs, hardware embellishments and the obligatory of-the-minute spandex body con. Balenciaga-inspired draped dresses were also a standout at Rachel Roy, while the draping and strong ‘80s power suit was reinvented at Donna Karen. Tribal warrior met hippie lover at print- and accessory-heavy DvF, with the adventurous designer proving, like many others, although the economy might still be lagging, fashion definitely is not.
