NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: THE TRENDS

It was quite fantastic, wasn't it? New York delivered some of the best fashion collections I personally have ever seen for Autumn/Winter 2014, with designers going the extra mile to present their designs in the most imaginative ways possible. We celebrated anniversaries, with Donna Karan, DKNY and Diane von Furstenberg,  we witnessed some great catwalk sets as seen at Alexander Wang and Rodarte and most importantly, we were saw some beautiful clothes, bags, shoes and accessories which literally blew us all away. It was quite something, believe me.

One of my favorite collections for this fall was Michael Kors. As Kors revived laid back, Americana style we were shown glorious knitted cardigans, floral tea-dresses tied neatly at the waist, fur stoles draped casually over large, masculine coats and tasseled skirts and bags adding to that old, Texan feel. Fur was BIG in New York. Almost every designer featured a little fur something in their collections. Faux or real? It seemed that didn't really matter, as fur looks like its going to be another huge trend for autumn/winter. I love the whole fur look, and Kors seemed to get it just right as he accessorized scarves, coats with furry companions. Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Rag & Bone and Altuzzara also picked up on the fur trends. As Lauren gave it a Hollywood make over, Rag& Bone updated fur with a more wearable, youthful feel on bomber jackets and coats. I was convinced either way.

As for the minimalists, Victoria Beckham scraped her famous figure, hugging dresses for more loose, cool pieces, usually accessorized with gold chains and tight belts. The Row and Calvin Klein also went for sculptural minimal pieces as always, with elegant tailoring and a certain red carpet feel. As for Alexander Wang, this was a show that made full use of technology in the digital age which we live in. All his models looked extremely masculine first of all, as athletic jackets, check prints and knee high boots stole the show. Colours were neon bright paired with white and black and as for his finale... a rotating stage where models' dresses actually changed colour! Very Cool.

As for glamour, we had absolutely beautiful gowns from Oscar de la Renta, British label Jenny Packham, Zac Posen and the wonderful Vera Wang. Just watch any one of these shows and you will see what I mean by red carpet glamour. Posen went for his divine fish-tail gowns while de la Renta wowed in sumptuous ball gowns billowing out at the waist. So beautiful. Donna Karan also upped the sex appeal for her show, as models prowled the runway in knee-high boots, tight tuxedo jackets and revealing chiffon dresses.

Rodarte gave us another fantastic collection, with Star Wars characters printed onto silk dresses and geek-sheek glasses, scarves and hats looking a little 1950's secretary. Diane von Furstenberg as always made everyone smile, mainly through the fact that her models always smile as they strut down the catwalk. Monochrome jumpsuits, a bright blue coat and a golden finale celebrating the revolutionary wrap dress...What a show it was. And who could forget Marc Jacobs? Since leaving Louis Vuitton, Jacobs has put all his efforts into his own label, with fantastic consequences. Sheer blouses, frilled skirts, elegant brown shift dresses, grey ensembles and wigs. Every model wore a wig. Again this seems to be Jacobs’ new thing, putting his models in bob cut wigs. Anyhow another great show.

Now for the trends. Colours were very subdued and pretty at New York, with white, pastels, greys and browns sneaking in to most collections. Animal prints, as seen at Proenza Schouler also featured in many a show as did big, padded coats and jackets. Looks like the bomber is making a grand comeback for fall 2014. Check patterns also were big, with Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Wu and Victoria Beckham taking the pattern and adapting it for dresses, coats and bags. This was a fantastic fashion week, and now it’s on to London...See you over the pond.