Autumn is just approaching, but as usual, fashion waits for no one and is always a step ahead of current styles. Mercedes Benz Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion week in New York was this past week. In 2011, designers are making a conscious move away from recent trends. Here's a quick recap of what went on.
Menswear-inspired:
Whether sporty or preppy, menswear translated into women's clothing has been a recurring theme and there's no end in sight. The mix of structured and athletic elements with delicate fabrics and sexy styles gives the female image a source of strength.
Alexander Wang is known for his ability to translate casual sportswear into something feminine and wearable. This year, it's no different, though his divergence from dark colors and heavier fabrics makes his designs fresh and youthful.
Diane von Furstenberg renews the dressy shorts trend by lowering the waistline and making the fit looser and the cut more casual.
Jason Wu updates the oversized blazer trend by literally transforming the blazer into a dress. This quirky style is entirely appropriate for work or play.
Jill Stuart's pantsuit is all clean, crisp lines, and severe contrast. The slim cut and styling still leave the edgy suit feminine.
Ohne Titel gives the athletic one-piece swimsuit a sexy twist by creating it out of a dark, leather-like spandex, but keeps it light and feminine by paring the bodysuit with a flowy pleated skirt and funky shoes.
Tommy Hilfiger, ever the all-American brand, plays up traditional preppiness in his line this season. The sheer skirt, yellow bucket hat, and bandeau top add some intrigue to the otherwise classic look.
Vera Wang's collection is beautifully dark, a lot of the pieces Asian-inspired. This particular look stands out as a sportier look with the casual dark pants and moto-vest top.
Michael Kors manages to create something very beautiful, sexy, and feminine out of essentially a giant sweatshirt. This look is both timeless and versatile.
Youthful but Sophisticated:
90's inspired grunge styles are on the way out. While certain styles (tough boots, maxi skirts, and dark colors) still remain prevalent, overall, designers are starting to clean up their act. They're making a move to more conservative, elegant styling.
DKNY is staying with the sleek 90s-era maxi skirt trend, but when paired with a clean white blouse and lady-like heels it gives a whole new spin on the look.
Jason Wu, again gives a twist on business attire, the ruffle bandeau and straight seaming down the front of the pants adding some modern interest.
Jill Stuart's collection is all about timeless sophistication with a modern and youthful edge. The button-up blouse is classic with a bit of school girl charm, and the shorts are cut loosely, almost resembling a skirt.
Simplicity, a subtle sexiness, and a neutral palate were all key to Donna Karan's spring looks. The mixing of different shades of nude and various materials added youth and life into a very clean and grown-up image.
Oscar de la Renta, as usual, has created the most feminine and elegant clothing seen on the runway. The loose, wide-legged pants in this look add a youthful edge to a rather sophisticated look.
An otherwise ordinary LBD, Proenza Schouler keeps things hip with sheer black on top and a fun, colorful ruffled skirt.
Rodarte has the unique capability of transforming something ordinary into something extraordinary. The chartreuse color of the fabrics, combined with the unique draping make the collared blouse and skirt combo into something fresh and new.
J. Mendel gives us his take on old Hollywood glamour in this collection, with many Grecian gowns, red lipstick, and fur stoles. But the red ballet slippers are the real show stoppers.
70's Glam:
Designers often draw from different eras in fashion, and for this season the 1970s are dominating. From the distinctive cut of the clothing, to the graphic and ethnic-bohemian prints, the hippies and disco divas are back in action.
Derek Lam's collection is so simple and chic. He plays around with many 70's trends, but still keeps it minimalistic. This all denim look is easy and comfortable.
Diane von Furstenberg captures the spirit of a strong and elegant woman, while drawing from the glam-cool disco days with this silky jumpsuit.
Philosophy's spring line features very bold colors and graphic prints, and channels an Asian vibe with the kimono jackets and wide rice farmer-inspired hats. But the mini skirts and dresses, the wide sleeves, and tall boots suggest a 70's era vibe as well.
Tommy Hilfiger, while the main focus of this collection is preppy-chic, incorporates elements of the 1970s as well with the cut of these wide-legged pants and the subtle plaid print.
From the big, soft hair to the easy jumpsuits and wide-legged pants, Marc Jacobs demonstrated 70's luxe with ease and a modern viewpoint.
Anna Sui's signature style is back again, this time with 70s-inspired clothing and accessories.
Minimalism:
The most prominent trend this season is bare simplicity. Printed pants, sequins, embellishments of all kinds, and mixed patterns were all very much in style last year. In 2011, while prints have not been eradicated entirely, the focus is on minimalist trends.
Alexander Wang's new spring collection as a whole is very clean and white. The intrigue in his clothing is not the heavy colors or prints, but in the layering, cut, and texture of his clothing. He manages to make the simplest tops and pants look very unique and futuristic.
BCBG's line is the most simple I've ever seen from the designer. The cuts of the clothing are sexy without being overly revealing and moving in them seems so easy.
Derek Lam proves he knows the meaning of minimalistic. This dress would be almost boring, but the drop-waist (something very prevalent in many designs this season, a welcome relief to the high-waisted trend) and the brown belt emphasize the elegant long and lean quality of the dress.
Known for intricately woven bandage dresses, Herve Leger doesn't disappoint, even with a more minimalistic take on his designs this season.
Calvin Klein, one of the forerunners in the minimalistic movement of the late 1990s, is once again the perfect example of simple-chic.
