New York Runway Trends Fall 2008
From Coats to Capes, Shaggy Fur to Fringes: Fall Fashion Must Haves
From Muppet-inspired jackets and capes to Yeti-sleeved coats, New York Fashion Week's runway collections gave us a taste of what to expect in women's fashion this fall.
The current spring and summer flavors of goddess gowns, cinch-waisted mini dresses, volumnous skirts, boyfriend dressing and high-waisted, wide legged pants give way to black and white equestrian, monastic and narrow-legged androgyny trends providing a more austere and tough-chic style, according to this month’s New York runways for Fall 2008.
With New York’s Fashion Week having drawn to a close, we now have a much better idea of what is likely to be hitting our high-street stores this Fall.
Shaggy Furs
One trend that is sure to be in favor with fashionistas is the fun and quirky Muppet-style designs. Inspired by Jim Henson’s award winning shows such as "Sesame Street", runway designers such as Chloe, Donna Karan and Missoni gave us a sneak peek at their new twist on winter furs.
This fall’s shaggy fringed outfits and fun furs provide a quirky element likely to be favored by many, due to its fun factor as well as its practicality.
From shaggy-fringed three quarter-length coats, jackets and skirts to Yeti-inspired sleeves and mini capes, there is enough choice to please even the most fashion resistant. “At Proenza Schouler, McCullough and Hernandez added white yeti-like sleeves to a smartly tailored single breasted coat, leaving little doubt that this season's woman is a force to be reckoned” says Elle magazine in their online Style Report, "Shaggy Fur Trend 2008 – A Great Shag."
According to Elle, the more sophisticated mink coat with long-haired fox sleeves by J.Mendel drew much attention, whilst Peter Som’s shaggy mini cape’s of black fur “hippie-fied an otherwise prim look.”
The Return of the Cape
Victoria Beckham was seen going about town in New York sporting a chic white cape this week, which can only mean one thing. Having given her seal of approval to this current trend, we can expect to see a flurry of capes of all shapes and sizes hitting the stores shortly. The cape is notoriously difficult to wear, but Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss and Mrs Beckham have all been seen leading the trend this February, making the cape a new fashion must-have.
Controversy on the Catwalks
New York Fashion Week did not pass without controversy however; well-heeled guests and celebrities were met by an angry group of animal rights campaigners as models paraded in mink coats and fox jackets, according to the Daily Mail, "Designer provokes anti-fur fury at star studded New York fashion show," of 6th February 2008. Furrier Dennis Basso even included a crocodile coat with lynx sleeves and alligator vests trimmed with Russian sable.
According to the Daily Mail, animal rights' campaigners rallied outside wearing grim reaper masks and held up bloody animal pelts and a banner that read "Furriers live on blood money."
Colors for Fall 2008
Other trends emerging from the New York shows has been the increasing dramatic use of purples, providing a touch of color to rich fabrics, in conrast to the more monochromed influenced girl on girl and equestrian trends. Pantone’s newly released top 10 colors for fall 2008, feature lilac-y blues and regal purples, while Blue Iris, a royal mix of rich blue with purple undertones, is Pantone’s color of the year.
