Although Groundhog Day promised a timely end to the frigid winter, Mother Nature still hasn't ended February's cold spell.
Luckily for fashionistas around the world, avid trendsetters celebrated their anticipation of warmer weather fashions by visiting New York City Thursday, Feb. 11, for Fashion Week Fall 2010.
Twice yearly the Big Apple welcomes more than 100,000 attendees, including glamorous movie stars and successful media tycoons who come to see the world-renowned fashion event.
"Fashion week, as usual, brought all the stars out," said Jill Martin, US Weekly and Today Show contributor as well as the New York Knicks correspondent. "It was interesting because it was the last time it will be in Bryant Park so everyone appreciated being a part of the experience."
After holding the event in Bryant Park for 15 years, the event will move to Lincoln Center in the fall. According to The New York Times, designers repeated the belief that Lincoln Center will legitimize them, not just as designers, but as artists.
Runway visions impressed the audience with a variety of novel design schemes different from dapper natiral textures and lovely feminine patterns. I thought the most beautiful presentation was by Marchesa," Martin said. "It was not a formal show held in tents, but one where you can walk around and see the collections. The dresses nd intricrate details are always beyond exquisite." Designers such as
Richard Chai, Anna Sui and Vera Wang wowed viewers with soft silks, charming florals and the always-dependable sequins.
Tommy Hilfiger maintained his line's classic elegance by presenting gray cashmere turtlenecks, camel wool coats and tobacco brown suede boots-sheer simplicity at its finest. Softer tones such as pale nudes and pastel neutrals were the major staple of Hilfigure's line, as well as DKNY and Ralph Lauren's. The fashion A' listers who made their way to Fashion Week's clinic downtown locations saw designers' biggest obsession--layering. "I like the trend of using sheer fabrics and layering, " said hunter Henry, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production. "I also love the idea of mixing prints." The majority of the stellar lineup embraced the thought of mixing textures, various patterns and colors to create a lighthearted look. Designers like Alexander Wang and Peter Som showed models who looked like they'd thrown on everything in the closet all at once, according to Camantha Critchell, Associated Press writer. The ever-influential runway icon, Oscar de la Renta, amazed the crowd with a new take on fall fashion. De la Renta featured intricate luxe creations in vibrant hues of shimmering oranges, rich purples and remarkable greens.
De la Renta took an unconventional position by also showing an assortment of furs in numerous forms such as collars, wraps and handbags.
Alice + Olivia's models donned playful looks in flirty cocktail dresses, multicolored feather skirts and patchwork sequined blazers.
"I loved their idea of accentuating the shoulders and the vivid color palettes selected," Henry said.
Derek Lam attracted interest with his western-inspired styles. Warm caramel and jet black shades ruled the runway. Lam tied his leather-clad pieces together with shearling coats, fringe belts and felt cowboy hats
As sunnier days inch closer, the fashion-inclined are testing the fresh new trends by shadowing the legendary style-setters.
"I think fashion week gets people excited to think out of the box with their fashion style," said Kathryn Hicks, senior in apparel merchandising. "It really inspires the fashion savvy crowd to be unique."
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