Big Apple Couture. .

~*New York's Fall Show *~ inspired by Style.com & Elle.com fashion pages

Fashion shows in the center of the universe have come out of hibernation. And this fall, the  motifs of the collections focus on the individual silouhette rather than imitate specific muse. But it's craftier than ever. NY Fall Fashion is a paradox: the runway evokes an escapist attitude, enabling a visible sense of free spirit, serenity, and ambition alike that compliments the show's New York City setting in all sorts of pieces, almost declaring separation from the body and its unwanted, unnatural layers of fabric and textile. But how can one believe the focus is truly on the silouhette when these materials and textures are just so precious?  These designs are as comprehensive as they come. Cindi Lieve of Glamour magazine even pointed out, "the overriding theme to these collections is 'recession. . .what recession?'" 

Designers are admiring a new firey, rich, "safety" orange that is a ubiquitous color on NY's catwalk; the fashionistas declare that one may never appear under nor overdressed in the hue. Vera Wang provided a sharp breach in her often smoky, single shaded color palettes with lots of bursting orange. The subject matter is simply lush. A refreshing contrast between the decadent "uptown girl," and the street-smart "downtown-girl" is exhibited in a smoothie of snakeskin, ruffles, metallic leather, satin, silk, sequins & rhinestones, quirky carpet and tablecloth like textures, and the pigments of forest green, peach and plum to name a few. Quite chic for spring 2009. Fall ensembles suggest innocence with their ever-present ponytails, pencil skirts, transparent and flowing gowns, always trendy trenchcoats, and now hats with feathers-a fad probably inspired by the elegant high society that sports these an ocean away during the Ascot Race of England.

Two more styles that will be ubiquitous in the upcoming season are plaid and florals.Plaid has certainly made a prominent pose on  fall runways.  I particularly enjoy Ralph Lauren's use of this prep school girl meets  cold weather comfort staple--displaying long pea-coats and skinny trousers made of plaid. I've never seen more interesting necklines made from plaid! Florals continue to blossom in high fashion closets  as they did so sweetly and elegantly this past spring, but this time the flowers are presented on boho-inspired ensembles, and are more neutral rather than bold since last season on the color spectrum. I even believe that this cooperative neutral-boho relationship is a more creative way to exhibit the flowers, because petals and stems are more subtle rather than overly innocent or larger than life--sentiments that put our minds back into summer gear.  Think dark golds, faded plums, and olives. Michael Kors mix these palettes together to constract a gorgeous day-to-night frock with a silky and graceful essence--and added a belt, another autumn essential. 

It seems that here, in New York City, the nucleus of fashion hubs, the designers' inspirations are  undefined. These designers have visions in their stylish minds about the look as a whole making its wearer receive the most attention, making her stand out in a sea of  omnipresent fashionistas here. These looks fabricate the model's identity with the smallest, adrenaline-building details that make New Yorkers look like "chic Parisian women not quite pulling it off."

So what kind of star candy will be showing their own designs during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in early September? The press was ecstatic when ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham reversed her decision about showing off her ritzy dress collection and decided to bring her designs overseas. Bad news to those of us normal devout fashion followers, though; she'll only be showing to those scheduled with a private appointment--just people like editors and buyers.