Fall 2008 Fashion Week: New York

Zac Posen

Leave it to Zac to give us a show. The predominant theme was the distinction between masculine and feminine dressing, and what happens when those lines are blurred. Silhoettes were romantic, details were intricate, pom poms were Disney-riffic.

BCBG Max Azria

Azria is the master of gorgeous, wearable clothes. There is never anything "off" about his collections--just classic shapes that embrace the trends. The thread that continued in most of the looks was the simple and effortlessly chic leather belt tied at the waist, which made for a beautiful contrast with the creamy palette of the dresses. There was also the voluminous mini, an oxymoron in itself, and edgy asseymetry to round out the collection.

Anna Sui

Oh Anna, your pieces make me want to be magically transformed into a beatnik-hippie-princess. There were patterns everywhere, colors straight out of a fairytale, all mixed together in a perfect collage of textures. The art noveau-inspired prints struck a cord with me, calling to mind 19th century posters and the artist Mucha.

Marc Jacobs

When it comes to Marc Jacobs, one often needs to sit and ponder his work in order to appreciate it. This season seems to be a call to modesty in reaction to a society of exhibitionism. Heavy stuff, yes, but the hemlines are low and the fit is generally loose. A collection for the intellectual fan of fashion.

3.1 Philip Lim

Lim, the current"It" guy of the fashion world, created a collection filled with a variety of colors and textures. The predominant influence seems to be Russian in the rich colors and brocades. His coats were all gorgeous on their own but would also complement a wide wardrobe, making them future covetable items.

Alexander Wang

Wang is the bad-boy rocker rebel of my small review. His body-consciouncess collection stood out against the more austere collections of other shows. The leather, gritty metallics, stark black, and clingy jersey all have an in-your-face attitude that should make him popular with pop tarts and rockers alike. I love the black and beige dress especially, which could perhaps herald a trend of black with neutral hues for the fall palette.

Pictures courtesy of http://www.style.com/

GET YOUR NE-ON

Christian Dior Couture Spring 2007

Costume International Spring 2007

Thakoon Spring 2007

Fendi Spring 2007

Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2007

Neon. That one word conjures up a million different connotations. For those who lived in the 80's, it was all the rage to see just how many stretchy, bright, spandex-y clothing one could wear, in the gym and out. In a deserted landscape, a blinking neon sign welcomes visitors to Sin City. Punky teens mix and match snappy neon rubber bracelets with their chunky black combat boots and meander around the city looking for the next emo/indie/punk band to rock out to.

This past Spring Fashion Week, designers gave neon a new connotation. The creativity surged from the new concepts and forms that neon was incorporated into. They were all unexpected, yet somehow fit together perfectly. Whether streamlined or ornate, many shows abounded with flashy color, offering a wake-up call from the somber clothing of fall. Bright, futuristic mesh was layered over basic black at Fendi. Emanuel Ungaro turned the goddess gown upside down by designing his in a fluorescent spectrum. The Christian Dior Spring Couture show included a gorgeously layered, ruffled gown that faded from pastel seafoam to almost glaring chartreuse, like watercolor on an acid trip.

So how do you wear neon without looking like a Las Vegas casino sign? Even though designers went to the extreme, it doesn't mean that you have to. You can integrate neon into your wardrobe in small doses, whether that be a chunky bracelet, cool ring, or punchy shoes. If you find fluorescent to be too harsh, then you can ease into some highly-pigmented standard hues, like Cerulean Blue.

Remember, this trend is to be worn with confidence and humor, so have fun with it!

All runway pictures courtesy of http://www.style.com/