The new fashion ideas for Fall/Winter 2011-2012 start from New York
Even though we are almost ready to throw off our warm jumpers, which have enfolded us in a protective hug during the cold and freezing winter evenings, and welcome the spring season with a wide range of colors and lighter clothes, the fashion industry has a longer view than we do and is already excited to show the latest trends and ideas for next Fall/Winter 2011-2012 to a wide audience.
And it is New York, with its characteristic energy and vitality of the city that never sleeps, that opens the prêt-a-porter season of fashion shows, dedicated to the feminine universe, with its fashion week scheduled from February 10th to 17th, which will then continue in London, Milan and Paris .
The program is richer than ever with events and exhibitions; the public participated in greater numbers than in past editions, especially in terms of foreign guests, and the interest in the fashion ideas presented in the Big Apple has suddenly increased, showing how the frenzy characterizing the city is influencing fashion too, ever more colorful and cosmopolitan.
But, what does make the difference between New York and the other fashion capitals, from Milan to Paris? According to the cognoscenti of the fashion industry, the answer lies in the hope that, even today, the American dream can become a reality for anyone: this is why, despite the importance we give to emerging markets such as India, China and Brazil, New York is still the umbilicus of the fashion world, where well known designers come together with new talents in order to build something to be proud of.
A great variety of new ideas and collections crowded the numerous runways that, for a complete week, entertained an enthusiastic public in the official venue at the Lincoln Center, underlining the current need to rediscover the pleasure of dressing and amusement, enjoy anew the elegance of detail without being afraid to be bold, where only one thing is certain: in the land of denim, jeans are never out, but always remain in vogue, even in a three-dimensional version.
As usual, this year too the “Red Dress Collection” opened New York Fashion Week: an important charity runaway show organized to raise awareness about women and heart disease: great names and big celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, Robin Roberts, Felicity Huffman and many others can now all say they’ve walked in a model’s shoes, each wearing an amazing red dress.
But, what did the real protagonists of the fashion industry propose for this year’s Fall/Winter 2011-2012 New York Fashion Week?
Plenty of polka dots, a good deal of latex and lace, and a more fitted silhouette: this the thread that ran through the Marc Jacob collection; he created it with something strict and severe in mind, inspired by an ode to the 1970s whose feeling was amplified by chevron-patterned velvets, corduroy suits with belted jackets, sweater dresses and satin shorts with matching tops: everything coordinated with ankle socks and heels. Green, orange, purple and red were the main colors used both for suits and dresses.
Donna Karan named her Fall collection “Pearls of Wisdom” after the pearl necklaces that accompanied all the looks and informed the show’s all-neutral palette, with models wearing Grace Kelly topknots. Elbow-length gloves finished in deep swathes of fur and numerous top-handle frame bags enriched every single outfit in the collection, which, with the exception of two pairs of high-waisted draped jersey pants, consisted of dresses, skirt-suits and coats, along with a few sheer blouses with draped necklines that sometimes doubled as head scarves.
Even though she is not American herself, Diane von Furstenberg made her fortune in this country thanks to a simple dress knotted around the feminine body and called a “wrap dress”, for which she is now appreciated world-wide, attaining incredible international success. Wide-brimmed hats, fringed suede boots, silk button-downs with contrast tipping: this is the Fall woman conceived by the designer for her “American Legends” collection. Diane von Furstenberg’s woman loves original prints, like the black and white heart pattern of a matching blouse and pants, and she’s not averse to purple when it comes to color. Vividly hued furs are a big trend here in New York, but her aloe green vest paired tonally with a misty green blouse and grass green pants, was one of the brightest.
A similar success has been enjoyed by another European designer, the Spanish Custo Barcelona who began his proficient career here in New York, launching a colorful and graphic style onto the market.
Lots of Italian names animated this year’s New York fashion week, but the pioneer was Alberta Ferretti, with her young collection Philosophy who chose the catwalks of Manhattan to convey a specific message: a new grace, young, elegant, whispered and not shouted, to rediscover the old feminine refinement. Each model appeared in a nuanced pastel shade, wearing coats revealing perfectly coordinated dresses underneath, and stockings too; sometimes even the coat’s lining is in the same fabric and color as the dress. The suggestion is that of wearing and attracting with personality, because, after too much anarchy, normality has become the new rule.
And what to say about the original fashion show organized at the famous Grand Central Station, by Moncler-Grenoble: a revolution in the way of presenting a new collection. About 200 dancers and models staged a colorful and exhilarating ballet under the surprised eyes of travelers. Lots of red and burgundy, hazard yellow and ocher, together with various shades of green accompanied a slim line, whether in ladies’ skirts or men’s snowboard overalls, with sheepskin accents, graphic knits and lots of tweed.
Since we are in the land of jeans, here’s the newest proposal of G-Star who created a 3D model with strategic upholstery on knees and bottom, and oversize pockets, but nothing too tight or ridiculously baggy; while at Diesel Black Gold the designer offered the public a bold-hued assortment of lace-up denim, thick cable knits and military inspired jackets.
And now, are you ready to fly to London to catch the latest trends proposed by the most renowned European designers? Don’t miss our next article!
