Torso TattoosThe biggest trend emerging from the Milan men’s shows? Chest ink.
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Time for ReflectionSummer’s editorials are playing tricks on our eyes with smoke and mirrors (minus the smoke). Check out the spreads that had us seeing double. (Mildly NSFW.)
Magazines Take a Walk on the Wild SideThis month, French ‘Vogue’, Italian ‘Vogue’, ‘Harper’s Bazaar’ all get in touch with their wild sides, featuring a few furry friends.
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Between the SheetsSome of our favorite girls really could have shot spring editorials in their sleep and will probably inspire some..um..vivid dreams for their readers.
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Injury’s InIf new editorials are any indication, models were roughed up at Fashion Week. Catherine McNeil’s in a wheelchair (and Givenchy ankle boots) for March’s French Vogue. British Vogue’s April issue has Karen Elson on crutches, sporting a bandaged head. Raquel Zimmermann’s taking things to an even darker level, slipping a noose around her neck in front of Linda Evangelista in V magazine. The trend’s also jumped off the page and into reality: Erin O’Connor’s hobbling around London with a sprained ankle. So forget the Balenciaga gladiators for spring, the only accessory you need is a bandage. Kendall Herbst
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Make Your PointKiss rounded mary janes and peep-toe booties good-bye this fall. Designers have crafted high heels dagger-sharp, so brace your toes for a tight squeeze.
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The Happiest Clothes on EarthWe didn’t want to notice it, but we couldn’t help ourselves. Fall runways seemed straight out of a Disney fairy tale with princess dresses galore.
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Birds of a FeatherThough feathers were a major fall trend last year, this season plumes have flown up into hats.
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Pop Your CollarIf you’re not already up to your neck in fashion, this fall you will be — literally. Sculpted, architectural collars turned neutral-toned coats into loud, dramatic pieces. Maison Martin Margiela’s beige blazer featured a deep V, exposing a bare chest offset by square shoulders, while Stella McCartney’s collar offered a wraparound variation (which doubles as a wool scarf for ultimate winter protection). And at Costume National, the funnel carved into a long black coat delicately drew attention to the face of Mariacarla Boscono. For fall, bundling up means you’ve got to go big.
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Right to Bare ArmsParis designers must be banking on a globally warmed fall season, as their cocktail dresses flashed unexpected bits of skin. In what was an otherwise oversize, cozy collection, Stella McCartney showed a foxy, metallic beaded number, with chains framing the shoulder. Nicolas Ghesquière spiced up an otherwise basic LBD with armbands instead of sleeves. And Givenchy’s pastel frock, paired with gold gladiators, had a distinct Xena, Warrior Princess feel. —Kendall Herbst
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Strip TeaseThe lingerie-inspired looks we saw on spring runways like Marc Jacobs got sexier this week.
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The ShiningFall’s runways were glittering with more than just A-list celebs. Sequins — which popped up last season — have stuck around for another go.
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Booty CallJust when we thought ankle booties would stay the reigning “It” shoe, classic, comfy flat boots hit the runways in droves.
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Tie Me UpWhile bows tend to be ultrafeminine embellishments, designers are transforming them into sleek, urban additions on the runway this week. Proenza Schouler swept a chic white bow atop a traditional silk white blouse, while Thakoon tied a printed pattern variation around Coco Rocha’s navy belted coat. Meanwhile, Marc Jacobs fastened his knot front and center for a new spin on the classic black cocktail dress at Marc by Marc Jacobs. Come fall, we’ll be fit to be tied.
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She’s Got LegsTights have been a fall staple for years (just ask Lindsay Lohan). But the black leggings of the past are getting a colorful new makeover for fall. Erin Fetherston paired her simple black flats with blue nylons, while Proenza Schouler used mustard-yellow tights to set off emerald-green heels. Nicole Miller went the furthest, showing tights that were not only colored (maroon) but also patterned. Go ahead, girls, and show off your legs whatever the hue.
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Check MateIt seems plaid has finally grown out of its angry flannel phase — unlike your hipster boyfriend. This Fashion Week, grunge’s mainstay looks relaxed and fluid. Y-3 used the nineties pattern in bright orange and yellow from head to toe, while Peter Som belted his gray and black patterned coat. And Preen used it as an accent to otherwise sleek looks.
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Bubble YumThe hemline on the miniskirt is changing again. And since they can’t get any shorter (or can they?), they’re getting fuller this time with a bubble hem. Costello Tagliapietra gathered her hem on a dip-dye skirt; Donna Karan added a briochelike touch to several pattern dresses; and Hervé Léger used the bubble hem to deviate from a collection of second-skin dresses. Feeling bubbly yet?
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Take a BowLast year’s obsession with hats has morphed into a fascination with headbands. Big bows topped heads at Erin Fetherston, who wrapped tresses in feminine flowers. Costello Tagliapietra paired their evening dresses with satin hair bands. Sass & Bide sent out hats, bands, wraps, or feathers with every look. And Elise Overland belted a piece of extra-long fabric for a sixties-hippie feeling. So, go ahead, tie one on.
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Designers Catch Yellow FeverWe were expecting grays, browns, and blacks for fall. But banana yellow? Not so much. Kimora Lee Simmons sent Little Miss Sunshine down the runway in a floor-length yellow dress at Baby Phat, while Lacoste complemented the loud color with a dark cardigan. And Nicole Miller brightened up traditionally dark outerwear with a three-quarter-sleeved coat of color. This isn’t mellow yellow.
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Belly Dance
Think shoulders are the only skin you’ll be showing next season? Think again.
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Sheena Was a Punk-Rocker
Neon was the buzzword this week, landing on nearly every runway. But a few crafty designers reinterpreted that late-eighties trend into something distinctively more punk.
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Slow Down, Strike a PoseFashion Week will always be hectic. But some designers gave editors a break from having to frantically crane their necks just to catch a model soaring down the runway. They offered up static presentations where you could — gasp! — actually see the clothes.
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Scarf It UpHair this week has swung the arc from long and flowy to super-tight ponytails. But next spring, break out your best Pucci scarves and rock them as headbands.
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It’s Your PartyLast season’s LWD has given way to the ever-so-important cocktail dress. Yes, spring is all about dressing up for drinks, dahling — appropriately, the runways were full of cute little numbers that would fit nearly every occasion.
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Purple ReignSpring’s colors have rocked the palette, from neons to jewel-hued. But one that’s a bit more wearable is the purple quietly making its way down runways.
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Neon SignsAre runways taking cues from the nu-rave trend in music? Or Agyness Deyn’s June British Vogue cover?
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Straw DollsThe soundtrack at the shows this week could easily have been Van Halen’s “Panama,” because straw hats were perched atop models’ heads everywhere.
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Skirting the Issue
Models’ hips may have a circumference smaller than our thighs, but their skirts don’t. This spring it’s all about full skirts the bigger, the better. Vera Wang’s purple-blue skirt is a fresh take on Dior’s new look. Behnaz Sarafpour’s belted dresses add just enough volume to be sexy not hippy. Thakoon’s bright-pink skirt ballooned down the runway, making this spring a rare gift to big bottoms.
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Fruit LipsStylists ditched the traditional red and peachy pink makeup this season, instead opting for more vibrant colors. Lips went the way of tangerines, creating a shocking — yet wholly intriguing — look that was fresh and fun.