Runway Report

/ When you think of fringe, it is hard to avoid envisioning a cowboy in their nicest western jacket. But this season, designers gave us new ways not only to envision fringe, but to create it as well. Shying away from a classic short fringe style, the fringe trend was all about length this season, as seen with Burberry, Alaia, and Jonathan Simkhai. Givenchy, Paco Rabanne, and Proenza Schouler opted for fringe as a way to embellish a garment. Even if you can’t compete with a professional ballet dancer, there are tons of ways to use fringe this season.

fringe RECOnstruction

/ Reconstructed blazers were all the rave this past spring/summer season. Usually deconstructed blazers take center stage, but this season was all about taking them apart and making them better: adding appliqués and embellishments, mixing and matching patterns, changing the traditional silhouette of a blazer, and a myriad of other ideas. Schiaparelli and Alexander McQueen both opted for fully bedazzling their blazers, sending models down the runway shimmering like stars. Brands like Coperni, Balmain, and Burberry completely opened up their blazers, giving them a more poncho-like silhouette. Trust that no matter how you decide to style your blazer, you will be on trend.

/ Proportions are key to any designer’s process, and this season they threw out all the rules. Miu Miu took us back to the 2000’s by showing the shortest mini-skirts we’ve seen in about a decade. Round is apparently going to be very in, given that both Commes Des Garcons and Halpern showed spherical looks that completely engulfed the models. Shows like Louis Vuitton and Loewe offered a new silhouette, one that is more organic and random than we have ever seen before, with protrusions emerging from the sides of their garments. This trend might seem intimidating, but there is no wrong or right way to do it. Take risks!

PROPORTIONS asymmetry

/ One shoulder tops were all the rage this past fashion season, but that’s just skimming the surface. LaQuan Smith didn’t disappoint with a plunging offset V-neck mini dress. Salvatore Ferragamo showed us an oversized, one-shoulder cut out dress. If that’s too much asymmetry for one look, Atlein gave us a classic formfitting, one-shoulder dress. Nicole Miller kept it simple as well, with one-shoulder dresses in warmtoned patterns and colors. Stella McCartney, on the other hand, showed us her use of asymmetry through busy patterns and mismatched, longtrailing fringe. No matter what form your asymmetry takes this season— make it your own.