The Fashion Time Magazine

Another season, another slew of fashionistas strutting through Bryant Park. This season the topic du jour is the foreboding recession. In New York we have seen those designers clearly affected by it in their work, and those that remain either optimistic or oblivious to it if business is good! Here are the top 5 New York Autumn Winter fashion shows:

Alexander Wang

Fashion darling Alexander Wang can do no wrong it seems. This season we saw the designer take the next step and add seductive tailoring to his repertoire. It was luxurious but still faithful to his edgy and relevant look of seasons past. The bondage leggings were to die for and if there is one thing Wang knows, it’s how to dress the downtown girl with the uptown checkbook!

Rodarte

Kate and Laura Mulleavy are a rare breed in this industry. I have had the pleasure of meeting them both and they are just two sisters who remain unaffected in this cut throat industry and simply love fashion. The textures this season seemed to jump out at you, and their beautiful use of muted lilacs and greys and the switch to black with swirls of navy and cobalt seemed fresh for fall. And what had “fash” girls everywhere smiling? The return of the cult favorite..the shag deconstructed sweaters!

Marc Jacobs

The recession seemed to be looming over Bryant Park this season and although it was apparent in the Marc Jacobs logistics (he downgraded his runway show by about 1000 people!) it was absolutely a different case on the runway. The show was vibrant and fun which was refreshing compared to some of the other shows this season. His use of velvet was what attracted me the most. I usually find it to be stuffy and dated, but his use of the fabric was opulent, modern, and fresh. The neon shots of color and a continuation of last seasons strong shoulder trend also helped!!

Proenza Schouler

The boys were back and boy did they deliver! Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez gave us a beautiful show full of luxurious and modern pieces. This season the range was slightly more directional than past seasons but still aims to please the Proenza girl. A new trend already making its mark was spotted on the runway in the form of shorts over woolly tights with a signature heel or boot! J’adore!!!

3.1 Phillip Lim

Mod Squad in 1960’s London with a dash of rock and roll was on the menu at Lim. Cropped flares and modern military jackets, mixed in with modern dresses and shaggy shearling made the show eclectic. Beautiful shoes by Louboutin were back this season but my focus was on the mens studded loafer…any chance of getting that in a Ladies size 7?!?

- ALEXANDRA IANCOVICI

Alexandra is a London based Buyer/Consultant working with various luxury concept stores all over the world. She worked in the buying offices of Holt Renfrew Canada and Bergdorf Goodman early on in her career. Alexandra covers fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan, Paris and India.

Image source: style.com