Now that our hair is perfectly attuned to the oh-so-chic dictates of the big three fashion weeks, and our make-up is applicably applied, it’s high time we covered the main event of the past month, namely the couture. I mean we didn’t sit through show after show, picture after picture merely for our own edification, right? (Tee-hee… maybe we did.) And it really won’t matter how amazing your head looks if the lower 75% of your body is ripe for a rousing game of hipster or homeless. So let’s take a look at some of the top trends that clawed their way past the 15 seconds allotted on the catwalk and into 2011 wardrobe infamy. (I promise then, no more talk of fashion week. Tee hee.)

In the immortal words of Ms. Bette Davis “Fasten your seat-belts. It’s gonna be a bumpy night.” Some of the hottest trends to saunter down the runway personify some serious, peek-a-boo, sex-appeal. Take, for instance, a big, big, big contender for the multi-designer-multi-tasker: Lucious lace. Delicious!

Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Behnaz Sarafpour, Louis Vuitton, Proenza Schouler – you’d be hard-pressed to find a 2011 Fall collection that didn’t include lace in some form or another. And while lace has hardly been confined to doilies and your lingerie drawer for the past several seasons – it’s put aside all modesty and is all up in your face right now.



Adorning everything from skirts to coats, and blouses to bustiers, lace is embodying a rainbow variety of motifs. Antonio Marras and Marc Jacobs call on this embellishment to personify an homage to vintage. The later notably overlaying a shiny robin’s egg blue fitted skirt and combining it with a black lace blouse and a stunning white satin oversized ruffle collar, while Marras low-cut, scalloped sheath and coat remind me of my favorite fashion era, the 20’s. (Have I told you lately that I love you Marras?)

If historical nods are something you’d rather leave in the past, lace is perfectly capable of more than just peek-a-boo vintage chic. Balenciaga, for instance, uses lace in mesh form to cover his ultra-mod bright-toned and body conscious dresses, while Behnaz Sarafpour tops a taupe sheath dress with branch-inspired lace that comes across as both elegant and sophisticated.



Of course lace wasn’t the only s-e-x-a-y trend to make itself known this season, and it just might be time to spice up your under-things drawer, ‘cause a sexy side slit (or seventeen slits) is back! Slits and slashes sauntered down runway after runway, so it seems only fitting that they would sashay into your Fall 2011 wardrobe too. (No seriously, ladies. This look requires a no-granny-panty clause.)

From Alexander Wang’s silk skirts and dresses, whose multiple slashes floated gloriously down the catwalk, to the single slit in Antonio Marras’ (I heart your entire collection, Mr. Marras – fo’ realz.) flared, pleated and nearly see-through black skirt – this trend is a big one for Fall.

Gucci, Rucci (Chado Ralph) and Renta (Oscar de la), all utilized the slit in its various forms, but lest you think is was all about flowing femininity, let’s take a look at a few of the more urban slit-stylings. BCBG Max Azria used a double side-slit to give his round-hemmed skirt a more stoic and city-chic vibe, while Costello Tagliapietra spared no modesty with a bright red, full-length, body conscious dress adorned with a single slit straight up the middle: Kappow!

Are you blushing yet? Okay, let’s splash a little water on our faces with some trends that are a touch more office appropriate.

We mentioned the Queen of Wire Hangers, Ms. Joan Crawford as a definitive ‘Don’t’ (sorry Joan) in our previous cosmetics posting, but this time we dub her a darn-right ‘Do’ when it comes to fashion. The Big Shoulder is a Big Trend. “Big Whoop?” Well, you might feel differently if you take a peek at the collections of Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and Armani.



Once called, ‘The Power Shoulder’ (yes, it was the 80’s. Remember the ‘power-tie’? Why am I suddenly exhausted?) the boulder-sized, over-embellished shoulder is once again ready to reign supreme. A bevy of big-names hopped aboard the 80’s express to take a turn with this trend. Most notably, Chado Ralph Rucci’s sent a red bubble-sleeved evening shrug down the runway, while Chanel’s winter-white houndstooth over-sized jacket and matching skirt featured an almost masculine cut (if your man rocks a Chanel skirt suit). The unstoppable Lanvin also won big with beige fitted dress with glorious multiple-folds acting as football-shouldered decadence.



Another multi-tasker on our radar adorned the runways of Louis Vuitton, Chanel (of course), Rag & Bone, and Burberry Prorsum: plaid. Like lace, plaid spoke the many splendored languages of lumberjack, collegiate, oh-so-serious-office gal, and high-brow outdoorsy aristocrat, so if you are any of the above… or would like to be… then you are in luck.



Burberry, in my opinion gave one of the best showings of this trend with a military-inspired blazer dress (again… hello 80’s, is it me you’re looking for?) that I will not be able to wear due to it’s pretty yellow tones (It would make my skin look like I was jaundiced… sad, really.). Chanel utilized it to great aplomb on another houndstooth jacket/ skirt combo, while Prada kept it classy, flirty and modern with double-plaid blue-toned sheath dress with flesh piping and buttons.

And lest you think you’re relegated to choose from the trends above for the next several seasons, I also feel obligated to inform you that the metallic glitz of the season’s past is still in full-effect with numerous designers utilizing gilded fabrics on everything from coats to evening dresses to blouses to shoes, so don’t eschew all things shiny just yet (if ever). Fur and animal-friendly faux fur are still arguably in vogue, and the geometric patterns of spring (particularly circles) are also still in the here and now.

There. Fashion Weeks are over. My work here is done. I’ll be in my closet if you need me.


'til Next Time!