Fall fashion tips from Fashion Week

With the end of September around the corner, images of spring 2008 Fashion Week are already feeding the hungry eyes of clothing connoisseurs worldwide. The month-long and beyond “Week” will hit all the major fashion cities; designers from New York, London and Paris will be presenting their wares to a group of elite fashion journalists, stylists, publicists and celebrities. While shows usually run for just under fifteen minutes, the preparation that goes into them is extensive. This is where the trends are created and the innovative new designs come to life! Checking out all the shows on Style.com is a great option for those of us who unfortunately cannot hop on a transcontinental flight because we have our first exams, projects and papers due this week.

The fashion seasons are incredibly forward looking; these dreamy new clothes will not even hit stores until late February. I invite you to think spring for a moment and indulge in outfits from the New York collections that you could be wearing come spring break.

As I noted that fall 2007 fashion was all about juxtaposition of glamorous details with everyday pieces, spring 2008 is all about the airy, fashion-forward dress and ostentatious accessories to match. The industry has seen a rise in femininity over the past few years, as fashion customers are now more interested in playing dress-up for everyday activities. I found the dresses of each collection that I saw this season to be blatantly unique to its designer. Prints and fabric textures were rich, featuring full colors, smooth silks and light chiffons. Few colors or prints were repeated across runways; I sense that spring will be all about the individual personality that the wearer puts into their look.

My first New York favorite is Betsey Johnson; the indisputable queen of the party dress. She appropriately chose a prom theme for her collection, designing a grand variety of short and tea-length (hitting just below the knee) frocks that could catapult any girl into the spotlight. Known for her eye-popping colors and prints, this season was no disappointment as Betsey took tulle layers and giant satin bows to the next level. From delicate dots to sparkling sequins, each piece after the other was innovative and interesting. I can see these adorable dresses making a splash at spring socials and perhaps a certain SPM blog-writer’s 22^nd birthday party!

Transitioning from the flirty and daring to the practical and classic, Donna Karan is next on my list of top New York collections. With the ultimate in effortless chic, she shies away from her famous basic black this season in favor of khaki, moving the concept of the color completely away from men’s Dockers and into mid-length skirts and suit separates. Donna has an incredible way with the female form, designing clothes that are flattering, comfortable and wearable. She did not spare her collection from featuring dresses, which incorporated the same tan and cream colors into a classic shirtwaist style. With a 1950’s flair, distinctive high-waist banding and crisp collars float above a full A-line skirt. This spring look will translate very well into backyard parties and what to wear to summer jobs when the scorching heat is almost too much to bear.

My third most-wanted fashion collection for spring came from Proenza Schouler. Designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez created a smooth transition from fall to spring, most specifically in their incorporation of the menswear vest. These vests added to layers upon layers of interesting patterns and a variety dizzying prints; all adding to surprising combinations. Fabrics invited you to discover what they feel like, while tops of dresses ranged from flattering v-shapes to attention-grabbing asymmetrical sleeves. Some dresses even featured dual rows of big brass buttons down the front, while others screamed for a second look in vividly textured gold and silver metallic. Proenza Schouler makes make matching to mismatch look simple; these well-translating day-to-night outfits will be seen stepping out of classrooms and into VIP sections of nightclubs come spring.

I encourage you to look up the images from the fashion shows and find a designer that strikes your fancy. With so many possible spring looks already fresh from New York, who knows what London fashion week has in store for us across the pond come next week!

— Hayley Umphrey